A male is in a serious condition in hospital after a water incident at a beach in Northland this afternoon.
The victim has been taken to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital for treatment after an incident at beach in Pātaua just before 1pm.
A St John spokeswoman said it was thought the male victim - whose age is unknown - had fallen into the water.
"We just know it's a water incident,'' she said.
Paramedics were sent out in two vehicles and a helicopter was dispatched to the scene also.
A resident said there were several private baches in the area and the beach was popular with those who travelled there over the holiday season.