Missing hunter found in Stewart Island

Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Police say a hunter missing overnight on Stewart Island has been found and reunited with his hunting party.

Search and rescue teams from Southland and Rakiura/Stewart Island, as well as dog teams from Queenstown and Wānaka, converged on the Bosom Hunting block in Port Adventure Monday morning when the man failed to turn up after striking out on his own on Sunday.

A police spokesperson said a Southern Lakes Helicopter crew conducted a night vision goggle and thermal camera search of the area in the early hours of Monday morning but the man could not be located.

A full scale search was underway when shortly after 10am the Rescue Co-ordination Centre received a Personal Locator Beacon signal from the missing man.

The hunter was located and winched to safety by a Southern Lakes Helicopter soon after.

The spokesperson said the result highlighted the importance of carrying a personal locater beacon during any outdoor adventure.