Search underway for missing hunter

Rotorua Police, assisted by Land Search and Rescue volunteers are currently involved in a search for an overdue hunter.

The man, aged 58 years, from Taranaki, was one of a group of seven hunters flown into Te Urewera National Park, east of Galatea, on Monday, 7 April.

Six of the party went out hunting leaving the now lost person in camp, but he indicated he was going to go out hunting and he indicated where he would be going. He was reported overdue by other members of the hunting party late on Thursday afternoon after failing to return to their camp on Wednesday afternoon.

A team of searchers walked in overnight to the location of the hunting camp, arriving at about 5am this morning.

Further search teams have been flown into the area to commence searching this morning. There are a total of four grounds teams along with three 4WD vehicles comprising 19 searchers.

The first priority will be to search the area where the missing hunter indicated to the rest of his party that he would be going.

Weather in the area is very bad with limited visibility and rain, with it expected to deteriorate later today.

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