Rescued yachties back in NZ

An Auckland family rescued from a dismasted yacht north of New Zealand has arrived back in the city.

Charles Bradfield, his wife Joy, and their children -- Josh, 18, Matt, 16, Emma, 14, Tom, 13, Abby, 10, and Rebekah, six -- were picked up by a French navy patrol craft about 375km north of North Cape early yesterday.

The family's 12.8m yacht Carenza had been immobilised on Tuesday by rigging that wrapped around its rudder and keel when the mast toppled.

Mr Bradfield, an anaesthetist, used a fishing line to rig a high frequency radio aerial, enabling him to contact the powerful Taupo maritime radio base.

As a result they were located by a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules and subsequently rescued early yesterday by the French vessel.

It berthed in Auckland this morning. The family has not yet cleared customs.

- NZPA