Major night rescue operation after cliff fall on Tāwharanui Peninsula, north of Auckland

A person slipped down the cliff just north of Elephant Point. Photo / Kawau Volunteer Coastguard

A dramatic, nearly two-hour night rescue unfolded after a person slipped down a cliff north of Auckland.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene, just north of Elephant Point on the Tāwharanui Peninsula after 7.20pm last night.

Police said two people had attempted to climb up the side of the cliff to avoid the incoming tide, with one making it to the top and one getting stuck halfway.

Police said one person was moderately injured in the ordeal.

The rescue, from launch to return, took one hour and 45 minutes.

Darkness, wind and lively seas

Kawau Volunteer Coastguard said rescue crews navigated darkness, wind and “lively” seas.

A spokesperson wrote on Facebook that it was called to assist police and LandSAR, after being alerted at 7.40pm.

The person was not visible from tracks on the ridge, so Coastguard crews guided land-based rescuers.

“Our task was not to rescue them but to try to locate them from the water point of view to help the land-based rescue team to find them,” Kawau Volunteer Coastguard said.

Coastguard said it located the person and assured them help was coming.

“The wind was easterly and starting to pick up, so the sea was a bit lively as we got closer to Māori Rock,” it said.

Elephant Point is on the mainland, opposite Māori Rock.

A person slipped down the cliff just north of Elephant Point. Photo / Kawau Volunteer Coastguard

Coastguard said crews found “some less lively water” closer to shore when they arrived.

“It was dark, and so going closer became a bit more challenging,” Kawau Volunteer Coastguard said.

Crews located the person halfway down the cliff, on the north side of Elephant Rock, and shone spotlights on them.

“Once the rescue team was there, we put our spotlights off and returned to Sandspit to wash up and go home,” the spokesperson said.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said they received a report at 8.04pm.

The spokesperson said they responded with two fire trucks, multiple support vehicles and a specialist level three lines rescue team.

Fire and Emergency teams later handed over to police and Hato Hone St John.

Police said one person suffered moderate injuries and was transported to hospital.

Hato Hone St John said assistance was not required.

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