A helicopter with night vision equipment has been used to rescue a couple whose boat was swept towards rocks on Lake Taupo.
Constable Barry Shepherd of Taupo police said the couplewere forced to make a mayday call just after 11pm on Friday, after the anchor of their boat came loose in a strong south easterly.
He said the Coastguard discovered the pair, from Napier, wet and cold on a beach but rescuers could not get close enough to them in the rough conditions.
They were finally rescued just after 3am on Saturday with the help of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter.
Mr Shepherd said the couple were more than happy to be rescued and very thankful for everyone's help.
