Two kayakers can thank swift action by emergency services after they fell into the water and began drifting out to sea.

People on shore at Kawakawa Bay, south east of Auckland, noticed the two men were in trouble and called 111 at 6.40pm.

The kayakers had drifted 200-300m in winds between 20 and 30 knots, and one had lost their lifejacket.

They were in the water for about 15 to 20 minutes.

It was unclear at this stage what had tipped them into trouble.

Minutes prior to that job, Coastguard was called after a vessel struck a rock and started taking on water near Bean Rock off Auckland's Tamaki Drive.

Coastguard picked up the boaties and towed their stricken vessel to Half Moon Bay for repairs.