A man rescued by the Police Eagle and Westpac Rescue Helicopters from Manukau Heads, who wasn't wearing a lifejacket, refused to be taken to hospital.

The man and a friend had swum from a boat to the Heads' remote southern shore - but he hurt his leg and couldn't swim back.

The conditions meant his friends couldn't get to him in a boat, so they called for help.

He was winched to safety, but refused a recommendation to be taken to a medical facility.