Rough weather conditions including large swells and strong winds hindered a search and rescue operation for a boatie who went missing in Northland.
The man had taken his 7m Buccaneer for a spin in the Mangawhai Harbour to test the boat's engine about 6pm on Wednesday.
When he did not return by the expected time his wife went to the Mangawhai Surf Lifesaving club to ask members if they could look for her husband.
At 9.16pm the surf club contacted the Coastguard Operations Room in Auckland who then contacted police and dispatched the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to search for the man.
Coastguard Whangarei's Circa Rescue team also searched the inner harbour but due to 4m swells they were prevented from searching outside the harbour entrance.