Tide rising on car stuck in Waikareao Estuary

Car in the estuary off Maxwell Road, near Otumoetai. It's a race against the incoming tide to get the car out. Photo/Andrew Warner.

The tide is rising on a car stuck in Waikareao Estuary, near Otumoetai.

The owner of the car drove onto the estuary to listen to some music and enjoy the view on Friday night when "'nek' minute" his truck was submerged in the boggy mud near Maxwell Road in Otumoetai.

"Around 7pm I came and parked on the harbour, about 30m from shore, because the tide had gone out.

'Nek' minute I slid and my truck became submerged rim-deep in sand with no way of getting out," the owner, who wished not to be named, said.

Unable to get a tow truck, the Toyota Surf 4X4 sat in the estuary all night.

Returning to his car this morning, with a large crowd snapping pictures of the stuck vehicle, the owner was worried as the tide was already up to the top of his car's wheels.

"I have a bloke helping out, he's getting a crane to get my car.

"What started as what I thought a good idea, has ended up not being the best," the man said.