Two fishermen are safe after their trawler rapidly sank near Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf

The trawler was returning home when its skipper reported the vessel taking on water off Moturekareka Island, in Kawau Bay north of Auckland.

The fishermen turned the vessel towards the nearest land to investigate, but the boat sank too quickly.

Kawau Volunteer Coastguard says its crew were alerted just before 9 last night, and they responded about 35 minutes later, thanks to the quickness of volunteers.