A search is under way for a fisherman missing off Bowentown Harbour in Western Bay of Plenty.

The 24-year-old man from Rotorua was in a party of three people who were fishing yesterday evening.

Police were alerted after 11pm when two members of the party – a 28-year-old man and a 10-year-old child – were washed to shore after their boat apparently overturned.

They were found by a local fisherman and were treated by ambulance.

A search for the missing fisherman has been ongoing overnight and continues this morning.

This involves the Police Eagle helicopter, the Westpac rescue helicopter and the Coastguard.