KEY POINTS:
Searchers are looking for a 19-year-old man who went missing while swimming in the Bay of Islands this afternoon.
Inspector Gary Hill said the man and a 20-year-old companion swam from Paihia to nearby Motumaire Island at about 3pm.
On their return swim to Paihia the 19-year-old slipped under the water and had not been seen since.
The 20-year-old swam to a nearby boat, took a lifebuoy and started looking for his associate.
A passing ferry found the 20-year-old and took him ashore. He was taken to hospital with exhaustion.
Police and coastguard are searching for the other man.
- NZPA
