A pensioner is lucky to be alive after being knocked out by freak waves while fishing at Otaki Beach north of Wellington

John Schofield was brought to shore by a woman fishing nearby and a kite surfer at about 2pm yesterday.

One of Schofield's daughters says the kite surfer told her the 74-year-old was face-down in the water with just the back of his head showing.

He believes the fisherman had just seconds left before he was rescued.

Schofield was taken to hospital in a serious condition but is now recovering at home.