The search for two missing trampers in north west Nelson has been suspended for the day due to poor weather.
Jessica O'Connor and Dion Reynolds. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
An extensive search has been under way for Dion Reynolds and Jessica O'Connor, both aged 23, who went tramping in the Kahurangi National Park 16 days ago but failed to return when expected.
Bad weather also reduced the search team to just one crew yesterday.
Police said unfavourable conditions overnight and today meant air and land-based searches were not safe.
Planning is under way for a return to the field once conditions have improved.
A colleague, friend and former flatmate of missing tramper Jess O'Connor described her as calm and well liked among kayak guides in the Abel Tasman National Park.
He said O'Connor had borrowed a map from him to explore the remote Anatori River catchment where searchers have been looking.
She is a calm, "very fine person" who is well equipped to handle the outdoors, he said.
An online campaign to fund search teams looking for the pair has raised more than $13,000 in less than 24 hours.
Dominic O'Connor, who is the brother of Jessica O'Connor, set the campaign up to help offset costs to LandSAR, and volunteers for the search efforts.