A woman who almost drowned at Mt Maunganui has been tearfully reunited with the off-duty police officer who saved her life.
In a video filmed for NZ Police, Siniua explains how she went for a swim with her family on Friday, but got into trouble when she went too far from the shore.
- Drowning rates skyrocket despite law change
- 'Important to stay together': Kids of Muriwai drowning victims mourn
- Drownings up and female drownings doubled in 2017
"I heard my mum and my daughter say, 'Come back' - and I turned around and it was really far from the sand, I don't think I can make it."
She tried swimming back in, but couldn't beat the rough conditions.
"The waves were really strong, they smashed me everywhere. They picked me up, they smacked me down."
It was at that moment that she gave up, accepting that she would drown.
"I said to God, 'I'm gone. I can't do it. I give up'."
But help finally came in the form of four good Samaritans who swam out to save her.
"I came back up and I heard someone say, 'Hey, I'm here to save you'."
In the video, an emotional Siniua is surprised by Sergeant Debbie Harries, who was off-duty when she helped bring her back in to shore.
She can be seen embracing Sergeant Harries and sobbing while thanking her for saving her life.
"I am so glad that you're okay," Sgt Harries replies. "The main thing is you're okay."
It's unknown who the other three people who helped to rescue Siniua were, but they received a salutary message from NZ Police at the end of the video.
The emotional clip, which was posted to the Auckland City District Police Facebook page, has been viewed almost 20,000 times.
Newshub.
