Emergency services have been called to help a boat in distress in Tauranga Harbour.
A police media spokeswoman said the dinghy was reported to have drifted into the channel with three people on board at 2.55pm.
A Coastguard vessel was sent but a yacht made it to the boat first. All three occupants were understood to now be on the yacht, she said.
The yacht was now making its way into shore, she said.
