5 December 2016

NZDF Helps Search for Missing Hunter

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is helping search for a hunter who has been reported missing in the Kaimanawa Ranges since Saturday evening.

Air Commodore Darryn Webb, the Air Component Commander, said an NH90 helicopter from the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) 3 Squadron is flying up to six Police search teams to the ranges this morning.

The helicopter left RNZAF Base Ohakea at first light today en route to Turangi, where Police have set up a command post.

The hunter and a friend were due to return from a day-long hunting trip on Saturday evening. However, the two became separated, and the friend notified Police of the missing hunter after he got out of the ranges on Sunday morning.

The RNZAF’s NH90 medium utility helicopters and P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft have flown nearly 200 flying hours on 15 search and rescue missions in New Zealand and the south-west Pacific since January.

ENDS

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