Father swept away at Auckland's Bethells Beach while swimming with family

The man went missing after getting into trouble swimming at the main beach at Bethells/Te Henga. Photo / File

A father who got caught in a rip while swimming with his family at a beach on Auckland's west coast yesterday afternoon has not been found.

The 34-year-old man was swimming with his partner and child at Bethells Beach/Te Henga when they were caught in a rip, Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small said.

The woman and their child were able to get back to shore, but the man did not make it back.

The person went missing in the water at Bethells Beach on Auckland's west coast. Photo / Google

Surf Life Saving Northern Region operations manager Alan Gibson said they were advised of a missing person at about 5.15pm.

The search involved 10 lifeguards in two IRBs searching the coast for two hours, before they were called off at 7.30pm.

Gibson said conditions were not "particularly dangerous".

"It was low tide and quite glassy."

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter assisted emergency services with the search from about 5.30pm.

After searching the area the person was not found, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust spokesman Lincoln Davies said.

The police Eagle helicopter and search and rescue teams would continue their search over the next few days.

Police were supporting the man's family.

It is also 11 days since University of Auckland student Laurence Guoquan Wu, 23, went missing at nearby Piha Beach.

The police were inquiring into Wu's disappearance and searches, including from a helicopter, have been made at Piha.

Beach safety messages

• Choose a lifeguarded beach, swim between the flags and never swim or surf alone.

• Don't overestimate your ability, keep young children within arm's reach at all times and what out for rip currents.

• When fishing from rocks, always wear a lifejacket.

• If in doubt, stay out.