Emergency services have been stood down after what was believed to be a light plane crash off the coast of North Canterbury was a Google WiFi balloon coming down.
Reports of a crash off from Napi Napi, south of the Hurunui river mouth were received about 11.30am on Friday.
A police spokesperson said they were attempting to contact Google about retrieving the balloon.
The balloon is part of a global Google project to provide internet in certain places.