A yacht that went missing off the coast of the Coromandel has been found following a major search-and-rescue operation.
Both people on-board are believed to be safe, Maritime New Zealand confirmed in an update on Thursday afternoon.
In a brief statement, senior search-and-rescue officer Chris Henshaw said a vessel had advised Maritime NZ that it was responsible for broadcasting the mayday call on Wednesday evening.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is now standing down aircraft and the Royal New Zealand Navy's HMNZS Te Kaha, which continued the search for the yacht on Thursday after being deployed last night.
The RCCNZ organised the major operation after a brief and partial distress call was received by maritime radio.
It transpired that the coordinates initially provided, which indicated the yacht was in the Waiheke area, were incorrect after the team failed to locate the vessel. It was later discovered that the yacht was instead lost off the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.
More details will be shared as they become available, Maritime NZ said.
