An elderly woman was allegedly drunk when she drove through a bike shelter into the water at Waiheke Island ferry terminal

Photos sent to our newsroom show the four wheel drive vehicle submerged below the surface off the Matiatia Ferry Terminal after the incident on Wednesday.

Sergeant Ray Matthews says the pensioner was able to climb out of the vehicle and was helped by the public to safety.

He says the 73-year-old woman has been given an infringement notice for excess breath alcohol and further charges are being considered.

An Auckland Transport spokesperson says the sunken vehicle has been pulled from the water and returned to its owner.