A family missing after failing to return from a fishing trip in Auckland on Saturday has been found safe and well.
Police were notified at 9.35pm on Saturday that the family – one adult and four children aged 7 to 11 – had not returned from a trip to Kawakawa Bay, in Franklin.
Two vessels had left Kawakawa Bay for the Waikawau Mussel Farms before sunrise, but one failed to arrive, the Coastguard told 1News.
An extensive search carried out overnight failed to locate the family’s boat, police said in an earlier statement.
Police received reports just after 9am that members of the public had sighted a boat matching the description of the missing vessel heading towards Matingarahi Point.
"All on board are safe and well," police said.
The boat is currently being escorted to Kawakawa Bay by the Coastguard.
“At this stage it is not clear why the boat had not returned as planned yesterday morning and police will be undertaking further inquiries with the family today.”
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