The Tauranga Harbour Master is responding to a report of a boat that has come aground at the base of Mauao this afternoon.

'We were notified of a boat on some rocks and our team is responding,” says a Bay of Plenty Regional Council spokesperson.

'The harbour master is investigating a boat that has washed up on the rocks.

'At this stage we don't know more than that.”

SunLive readers report that the boat came ashore on rocks beyond the camping ground, on the ocean side of Mauao. Three people who were on board were seen to be safely ashore near the walking track.

At the scene? Phone 0800 SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz