Fortunately while the district harbourmaster and a jet-boat operator were nearby.
Queenstown Lakes District harbourmaster Marty Black praised Go Jet Wanaka's Patrick Perkins for his quick response.
''I was talking to a commercial operator at the Albert Town bridge.
''While we're standing there, suddenly there's a couple of screams for help,'' Mr Black said.
''He jumped in his boat and I followed on the jet ski. He hauled two youngsters out, two girls, possibly 8 or 9, who'd got swept into the willow trees.
''They were pretty shaken but OK.''
The rescue happened about 1pm.
Mr Black said dozens of children swam in the river near the bridge at this time of year, especially with the Albert Town camping round nearby. Many jumped off the bridge.
''It's being going on for years. You're never going to stop it. We obviously don't encourage it, but we just want to make the river as safe as possible.''
Mr Black also thanked contractor Sam Stewart, from Diesel & Dust, who came out within hours to remove the tree ''strainers'' [branches and roots in the water].
''With the river running higher than normal, we got rid of all the overhanging branches and made it safer for the kids. To get a contractor on a Saturday in the holidays isn't easy but Sam's responded immediately.''
Mr Black said while the district was not very busy yet, there had been incidents to respond to most days, from old cars abandoned in rivers, to overdue jet skis and boat breakdowns.
He reiterated water safety messages.
''Don't go in the water if you've had a skinful of booze, and always wear a life jacket.
''We're picking up quite a swag of people with no life jackets on SUPs or paddleboards. You're liable for a $300 fine.''
Boaties are welcome in Queenstown Bay for New Year's Eve but they must have lights on their boats and follow the direction of staff. There is a 200m buffer zone around the fireworks barge.
