Would-be groom's engagement proposal almost sinks

Matt Boggs popped the question to Libby Gudmundsson on Whenuakura Island.

Engineer’s surprise engagement plan on magical island nearly stymied by leaking wave ski

Matt Boggs' carefully laid plan to propose to his girlfriend at one of her favourite places in Whangamata nearly sank when his old wave ski started taking on water and he was told off for not wearing a life-jacket.

But the 29-year-old escaped a fine and instead the harbour master took him to a little island when he learned Mr Boggs was on his way to propose with a plastic bag containing an engagement ring, a bottle of sauvignon blanc and two plastic cups.

The engineer had been planning for two years to pop the question to Libby Gudmundsson on Donut Island, but didn't imagine the wave ski he got from his family's Hahei bach might leak.

The Auckland couple, who have been together for 5 years, had planned to meet at the Whangamata Surf Club after a run. When a puffed Ms Gudmundsson arrived she couldn't find her partner.

At the surf club Whiritoa Beach head life guard Ken Takano managed to get Ms Gudmundsson on a surf boat under the pretence of collecting buoys used in an annual competition.

Ms Gudmundsson's suspicions grew when Mr Takano suggested they detour past Donut Island - also known as Middle Island - and saw Mr Boggs on the shore.

The surf boat drifted away, leaving the couple together. Mr Boggs got down on one knee to ask the 28-year-old to marry him.

"I said yes straight away. I think I said of course even ... We had picked up a ring a while ago so I knew it was coming at some point but I'm a pretty inquisitive person and he got me completely off guard."

Ms Gudmundsson was touched that her fiancee had come up with such a thoughtful plan as she had spent many summers at Whangamata as a surf life saver and always spoke about how magical the island was. The island gets its name from a cave with a hole that resembles a donut.

When the couple returned to the beach, Ms Gudmundsson's parents were waiting to congratulate them. Back at the bach, champagne was on ice.

The couple hope to get married somewhere on the Coromandel.

Ms Gudmundsson's priority is planning an engagement party. "It is an incredible way to start the new year."