Outdoor explorers are being warned against venturing out beyond their limits this long weekend.
More visitors are expected at outdoor adventure spots, such as Tongariro National Park (pictured) this long weekend. Photo: 123rf
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council was predicting a huge surge in outdoor recreation activities as the country enjoys its first long weekend since lockdown was lifted.
It said that historically, Queen's Birthday weekend triggered three times as many tramping incidents.
The break is typically associated with a spike in search and rescue operations and in numbers injured.
Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said after being cooped up inside for weeks on-end during lockdown, people's fitness levels could have suffered, he said.
Daisley urged people to do better planning and preparation, including proper checks on weather and how it might affect outdoor activities.