Joshua McQuoid, 12, was playing with two friends at a Napier beach when he was caught by a wave and dragged deeper into the water by a vice-like undertow.
Footage filmed by a young bystander showed frantic beach goers, led by a German tourist, and police officers trying desperately to pull the boy from heavy surf but with no success.
Only after people linked arms to form a 12-strong human chain than held fast, were two police officers at the front able to grab the boy and throw him towards the shore.
Joshua was inched clear of the break and carried to the beach unconscious before being revived with first aid.
His father Shane McQuoid says Joshua is recovering physically but was still "shaken up" from the experience, which he'd told his dad was like being in a washing machine.
Mr McQuoid told Radio New Zealand he was so thankful to "each and every person" who helped pull Joshua out alive.
"I'm just so thankful for all the people that were there and the police officers, because if they hadn't have gone in our son wouldn't be here today," he said.
"It's just amazing."
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