The men were trapped for 45 minutes before being rescued, they told the Herald.
They were very grateful to be rescued.
In a separate rescue, RNZ reports a woman and two young children were saved from a vehicle caught in rising floodwaters in Northland.
Fire and Emergency said the woman’s car became trapped between two bodies of water on Pigs Head Rd, Whananaki, and a specialist swift water rescue team was dispatched.
Firefighters waded through the water to the car, where they found the cold and frightened primary-school-aged children.
A contractor was then able to drive their truck to the woman and children, then take them through the floodwaters to safety.
Vehicles crossing a flooded section of State Highway 1 north of Whangārei. Photo / Jason Dorday
Various roads in the region have been closed due to flooding.
Far North District Council is reporting 17 local roads are currently closed due to flooding. They include Kaitāia-Awaroa Rd, Diggers Valley Rd in Herekino and Fairburn Rd at Kaitāia.
Far North residents are urged not to travel and to avoid rivers, beaches and floodwaters due to possible sewage and septic tank overflows.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell this afternoon urged people to stay away from floodwaters, referencing a recent death.
Defence Minister Judith Collins says New Zealand Defence Force personnel are on the ground in Northland, with some personnel deployed to Whangārei today. More vehicles and drivers remain on standby at RNZAF Base Whenuapai if required, Collins said.
Specialist teams trained in water rescue have been deployed in Whangārei and Auckland, with Fire and Emergency New Zealand warning motorists not to drive through floodwaters.
A small number of whānau have self-evacuated to Waikare Marae in the Northland community, near the Bay of Islands.
Those in Northland have been warned the worst is still yet to come.
Far North District Mayor Moko Tepania said in an update online this afternoon that the State of Emergency would give relevant agencies extra powers to respond.
“Kaitāia and the wider Te Hiku community are now isolated due to flooding and will likely remain so until at least tomorrow.
“With the high tide due within the next few hours for both the east and west coast, we know other low-lying Far North communities will also be affected.
“Our main message today whānau is please don’t go out. Stay at home and stay in touch with your whānau and friends to make sure they’re safe.”
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