Coastguard vessels and a rescue helicopter are responding after a mayday call from a boat off the coast of the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Police, who were notified about 7.20pm, said the call came from a boat out towards Whakaari/White Island.
Coastguard crews from Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki are on their way and it could take them an hour to reach the boat.
The Westpac rescue helicopter from Auckland was also flying in to assist.
Flightradar showed the Westpac helicopter flying to White Island just before 9.30pm.
