Help sent to rescue Kiwis on yacht run aground in Fiji

An Air Force Orion has been sent to rescue four Kiwis on board a yacht that's run aground on a reef south of Fiji. File photo/Supplied

An Air Force Orion has been sent to rescue four Kiwis on board a yacht that's run aground on a reef south of Fiji.

The 20-metre yacht, named Jungle, left Picton a week ago for Tonga.

Last night, the crew experienced an equipment failure and changed course for Fiji.

Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman Vince Cholewa says they activated a distress beacon at 4am today to say they'd gone aground on a reef 370km south of Fiji.

He says the Orion is due to arrive at midday.

Cholewa says the nearest boat is 24 hours away but efforts are being made to contact another vessel such as a fishing boat, which may be closer.