It's an engagement ring of a different kind for Rangitoto proposal

Aimee Spicer and Vincent Schouppe got engaged with a ring of a different variety. Photo / supplied

Aimee Spicer had been waiting for an engagement ring for three years - but when she was finally given one, it wasn't what she expected.

The Brit had just swum in a race from Takapuna to Rangitoto on Boxing Day with her boyfriend Vincent Schouppe kayaking beside her.

But when she neared the beach on the island, she could see her Belgian boyfriend, who had kayaked on ahead, standing in the surf holding something.

"I almost swam past him because to be honest I was more concerned with finishing the swim."

But there he was, knee-deep in the water holding up a blue inflatable ring covered in pictures from their seven years together and the words: "Will you marry me?"

The inflatable ring had photos of the couple on it. Photo / Supplied

"I couldn't really believe it because I've been waiting for the past few years."

The last three years in fact.

Obviously Spicer, 29, said yes and celebrated with her parents and brother who had flown over from England to watch her swim.

Schouppe, 32, whisked her up to the summit and then the newly-engaged couple went on a scenic flight over her swimming route.

"I couldn't believe it - he'd planned the whole thing."

The newly engaged Vincent Schouppe and Aimee Spicer went on a scenic flight after the proposal.

Spicer doesn't yet have an actual ring because she's "so fussy" and he wants to make sure it's perfect so she is holding on to her inflatable one for the time-being.

"I don't still really believe it - he did it finally."

The pair met while working for a scuba diving company in Australia and are now living and working in New Zealand on a working-holiday visa.

Vincent Schouppe and Aimee Spicer met while working for a scuba diving company in Australia.

The couple are now on a road-trip around the country, enjoying their newly engaged status and plan to have their wedding in one of New Zealand, Australia or Bali.

"We can't stop laughing about it - we feel like we're 15."