The rescue of two visitors stranded by the high tide while fishing off rocks has prompted a police warning for people to keep a close eye on sea conditions.
A 36-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman, both from Auckland, struck trouble about 6.30pm on Sunday while fishing off rocks at the northern end of Langs' Beach near Waipu.
With the waves crashing on to the rocks they used their cellphone to call 111 and two fire appliances from Waipu went to the rescue.
Waipu deputy fire chief Alan Vaile said the duo had climbed onto the rocks to go fishing at low tide and did not realise they would be stranded by the in-coming tide.
They were on the wrong side of a 3 metre wide gut in the rocks. When the tide came in it made it impossible for the fishers to get back safely.