A significant search and rescue operation in Northland has been suspended until tomorrow as rescue crews were unable to locate a report of two missing people after four hours.
Coastguard was alerted by police of reports of two people stranded by an overturned dinghy in Oakura Bay at 6.30pm.
The bay is about 50km north of Whangarei on the east coast of the North Island.
A Defence Force Orion airplane in the area was called to assist as were as a Northland Rescue Helicopter, two Coastguard boats and multiple private vessels.
Mayday signals were also sent on VHF radio.