One person was taken to hospital in a moderate condition after being found hanging on to a boat this morning.
Police were called just before 6.30am about a man hanging on to a boat in the Whakatāne River near Quay St.
A spokeswoman said the man appeared to be refusing to get out of the water, possibly due to being hypothermic.
Coastguard and St John were notified.
A St John spokeswoman said one person was treated and then taken in a moderate condition to Whakatāne Hospital.