A search is underway for an injured kayaker in a remote area of the West Coast after one of his companions paddled for two hours to raise the alarm.
Emergency services were notified just before 8.30pm on Monday.
The Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter is tracing the length of the Whakarira Gorge near Hokitika looking for the man and another member of the party, who stayed with him. His condition is unknown.