Two men who went to dislodge a stuck contiki needed to be rescued when they took an unscheduled dip in the Firth of Thames.

A water rescue operation was launched when a park ranger spotted the two men in trouble near Kaiaua around 1pm yesterday.

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to assist with the operation.

A spokesperson for the chopper says the crews was tasked by Police Maritime when they received calls to the two men in the water.

'They had taken a dinghy out to dislodge a contiki which had got stuck. In the process of dislodging it, the dinghy overturned. Unfortunately they were not wearing life jackets.

'The men began waving the red flag attached to the contiki and were spotted by the National Park Ranger who proceeded to call 111.”

A medic swimming to the boat.

In the meantime, a kayaker paddled out to them and stayed with them, waiting for the chopper to arrive.

'Our crew left base at 1.04pm and were overhead at 1.21pm.”

Intensive Care Paramedic, Stefan Gabor, prepared for a winch rescue of both men.

'After jumping in the water and swimming towards the patients, a small boat arrived on the scene.

'The winch was then cancelled and the patients and the medic were transported back to shore in the boat, with the crew landing to offer assistance. The men were not transported to hospital, as they were not injured.”

The upturned dinghy.

Following the boat back to shore.

The helicopter landing back on shore.