Overdue boaties found safe and well

Four Auckland people overdue on a fishing trip have been found safe and well.

An air and sea search was launched this morning after the three adults and a child failed to return last night.

The group left Auckland's Okahu Bay on Monday morning, and were due back by midnight.

A Coastguard spokesman said the group had taken shelter on the Coromandel Peninsula in rough conditions last night but the area did not have cellphone coverage.

"They did the right thing. They found shelter but it's just where they chose had no coverage."

The group made contact about 8.30am today after a search was launched.

The boaties were making their way back to Okahu Bay.

- NZPA