A man has been airlifted to hospital in a serious condition after being knocked by a wave at Muriwai Beach.
St John were called to the beach at 7.18pm and sent three vehicles in response. A Westpac Rescue Helicopter also flew to the scene.
The patient was treated at the beach before being flown to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition, St John said in a tweet.
Aged in his 20s, the man is suspected of suffering spinal injuries, Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew chief Mark Cannell said.
"It is unclear whether the injuries were as a result of body boarding or body surfing" at the popular beach, he said.
