A mystery surfer risked his life and lost his surfboard when he saved two 14-year-old girls from drowning off the coast south of Kaikoura on Monday morning.
The young man dragged the two girls through the breakers, which broke his surfboard, to the safety of the beach after they were tipped out of their inflatable dinghy.
The rough sea had prevented the girls swimming into shore where their frantic parents were watching.
Both girls swallowed water and after being treated on the beach one was taken to hospital for further treatment.
Kaikoura Constable Andy Watson say the young man left the beach before the girls' parents could thank him.
Police were called to the beach just before 11am.
Kaikoura Constable Andy Watson says the surfer left the beach before the family could thank him. He described the rescue as extremely dangerous given the rough sea conditions.
Police disappointment
Mr Watson also says police are disappointed that the message of wearing lifejackets is still not getting through to some boaties after an early-morning rescue off the coast near the town.
A man and an 11-year-old boy spent an hour and a half in the sea near Clarence about 6am after a wave tipped over their five-metre yacht.
They were rescued by a passing dolphin tourist boat after being seen waving a paddle for help.
Mr Watson says neither the man nor the boy was wearing a lifejacket and the yacht did not have any of the necessary safety gear such as flares.
They were using the paddles to keep themselves afloat.
He says the capsize happened outside the breakers which may have saved the men because the strong waves would have been difficult to swim through without floatation aids.
Senior Sergeant Tony Ellis says the numerous drownings and water rescue incidents throughout New Zealand in the past week should serve as a warning to others to be careful while in the water over the holiday season.
Eleven people drowned during the 2008-09 holiday season and Water Safety New Zealand is urging people to take extra care this year.
Coastguard New Zealand says 1.3 million people go boating each year but many are complacent about the potential dangers and are ill prepared.
It says 450,000 leisure boats head out each year. Surviving on the water begins with thorough preparation on land.
