An elderly Mount Maunganui man who got into difficulties while swimming at Arataki beach had a narrow escape after being pulled from the water by a member of the public.
A St John Ambulance spokeswoman earlier said the man was taken to Tauranga Hospital in serious condition after the near-drowning on Wednesday.
Chase Cahalane, Surf Lifesaving New Zealand's regional lifeguard services manager, said the emergency unfolded near the Yale St beach access off Oceanbeach Rd about 3.40pm.
"I understand a bystander pulled the elderly man, who is believed to be in his 80s, from the water and a St John Ambulance and the regional lifeguards also attended," he said
George Hudson, patrol captain for the regional lifeguard service based at Omanu Surf Club, said he received a call about 3.45pm about a near-drowning and investigated.