Seven people have been plucked to safety from a charter vessel that hit rocks off the coast of Whangaparaoa.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said a distress call came through just before 4 this afternoon from the boat, which was in the Tiritiri Matangi channel at the time.

She said two Coastguard boats responded and removed the seven passengers from the boat.

The vessel was taking on water at the time, but salvage pumps were put on board and the vessel is now heading to Gulf Harbour.

It's being shadowed by a Coastguard boat and will be lifted out of the water once it docks.

It's understood no-one has been injured.

The vessel is believed to be a fishing charter.