Two men blown 2km out into Bream Bay in a child's inflatable dinghy were rescued by Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving Patrol lifeguards yesterday.
The men, both Asian and in their 20s or early 30s, were swept out from the beach near the Uretiti rubbish dump about 2.30pm. They had no lifejackets or oars.
Their families contacted Ruakaka police, who sought help from the Ruakaka patrol and also notified the Coastguard and other emergency services.
Patrol captain Tania Ahrens said four lifeguards - Briar Taylor, Connor Cooper and Tania's children Maysha and Joel Ahrens - headed out in two inflatable rescue boats and found the men 2km offshore about 3.15pm.
They towed them back to shore, where the pair were given advice on water safety by police.