Four dead, one missing after New Zealand fishing boat sinks in bad weather

Rescue operation off North Island's North Cape hampered by thunderstorms, swells and torrential downpours

A fishing trip in New Zealand has ended in tragedy, with four people dead and one passenger still missing after their boat sank during wild weather.

The rescue operation began on Sunday evening after a charter fishing vessel activated an emergency beacon off the North Island's North Cape. A helicopter was first on scene at the remote location, arriving at about 11.40pm but by 2.30am the boat had sunk.