"LATEST: A pilot has been pulled from the sea off Northland after his plane crashed.
The pilot was found after witnesses reported the crash - in the Bream Bay area, south of Whangarei - to emergency services and a search was launched.
The pilot was the only person onboard the light plane and has been taken to Whangarei Hospital.
RCCNZ search and rescue mission coordinator Neville Blakemore said police were alerted at 12.17pm after a plane was seen flying low over a golf course at Waipu.
"Five witnesses said they saw a light aircraft flying low, then heard a large bang and saw a big splash in the water, just below Taranga Island," Blakemore said.
Blakemore said five boats - three from the Coastguard, a surf lifesaving vessel and the police launch Deodar - were searching for the aircraft. The Northland Emergency Services Trust helicopter from Whangarei and a Royal New Zealand Airforce P3 Orion were also being used."
Stuff.co.nz