A New Zealand Defence Force Orion aircraft today clocked up a second successful search and rescue mission for the Air Force in five days.

Orion P-3K2 located the two Kiribati fishermen who were reported missing last week this afternoon.

The two Krirbati fishermen wave to the Orion crew. Photo: Supplied.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Darryn Webb says the Orion, from the Royal New Zealand Air Force's 5 Squadron, spotted the two men waving from their 4.5m skiff.

The aircrew were 30 minutes into the planned search of more than 60,000 square kilometres of open sea when they found the pair. The skiff was found adrift about 480km south-east of Nauru.

Both men appeared to be in good health says Darryn and then crew dropped the fishermen a survival pack of food, water and a radio.

The Orion has contacted the closest fishing vessel, MV Nakoraoi, with a request to pick up the two men.

The fishermen had been missing since May 13, and NZDF assistance was requested through the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre yesterday. The aircraft left Base Auckland at Whenuapai about 7am today and arrived at the search area about 1pm.

'The quick and successful search for the fishermen is great news for their families. We are pleased that we are able to help our Pacific neighbours on these lifesaving missions,” says Darryl.

Last Saturday an RNZAF Orion found three Kiribati fishermen missing for a week adrift near Tarawa, the Pacific Islands nation's capital and main atoll.

The NZDF has deployed the Orion to conduct five search and rescue operations in the Pacific since January, including four to Kiribati.