A desperate search is underway after a person went missing in the water near Thames.

Police were called to the scene off Thames Coast Rd at 9.45am after someone was reported to be in difficulty in the water.

One person had made it safely to shore and raised the alarm that a second person was still in the water.

The second person has not been found at this stage. The search is ongoing.

Coastguard Howick, Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol and Fire and Emergency New Zealand are responding.