Woman rescued after night at sea

A woman has been rescued nearly a kilometre off the North Shore after spending nine hours in the sea.

The 23-year-old Birkdale woman was reported missing about 11pm last night and police and the police helicopter Eagle launched a search along the Takapuna coast.

The search resumed at 7.45am this morning and she was discovered in the water off Takapuna beach, barely keeping her head above water, police said.

"She was just in the middle of nothingness," one of the Eagle crewmembers said.

The police launch Deodar was sent to her position and she was returned to the Marine Rescue Centre.

From there she was taken to Auckland Hospital.

The woman was in a serious condition, Detective Sergeant James Watson said.

She was expected to make a full recovery and will also be assessed by psychiatric services.

- © Fairfax NZ News