Seven people have been killed and another person is missing after a boating accident in New Zealand.

Eleven people were onboard the chartered fishing boat when it was reported missing in bad weather in the Kaipara Harbour area near Auckland on Saturday.

Rescuers recovered five bodies from the water while another two were washed ashore at nearby beaches. Three survivors were pulled from the water and taken to hospital.

The accident is thought to have happened at the entrance to the harbour which local television said is well-known for its treacherous conditions.

Police Inspector Duncan Hall said the Francie Charter fishing boat was reported as overdue to emergency services at 3:30pm. Police were still trying to establish what happened to the boat and how its occupants ended up in the water.

He said conditions on Saturday were poor, with large sea swells.

Eyewitnesses told Television New Zealand that locals kept survivors warm until ambulances arrived.