Two adults had to be rescued from rough water in the Manukau Harbour after their boat overturned on the bar on Sunday afternoon.
A member of the public on a jetski managed to take one person to shore. The other was winched up by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Coastguard NZ said they did the right thing - alerting officials they were about to cross the bar, and having someone onshore watching them.
When they didn't report back in, rescue boats were on standby.
The pair were in the water for less than 15 minutes clinging to their upturned vessel before they were rescued.
The Coastguard said it's a reminder to boaties of why it's important to have two forms of communication, wear lifejackets and follow the safety procedures for crossing the bar.
