KEY POINTS:
Nine passengers and crew are being towed to safety after their boat foundered on rocks off the North Cape last night.
An attempt last night to winch the people to safety was unsuccessful because of bad weather conditions.
The fishing charter vessel, Pursuit, has been freed from the rocks and is being towed to Houhora Harbour, north of Kaitaia, in swells of up to three metres.
Inspector William Taylor said police were monitoring the rescue and no one had been injured.
- NZHERALD STAFF