Police say a woman and two young children reported missing in the Abel Tasman National Park were found late last night, cold and hungry but otherwise well.
A young family were reported missing in Abel Tasman National Park has been found. Photo: 123RF
A Nelson police spokesperson said a 32-year-old woman and two children under five were last seen near Torrent Bay at about 5pm last night.
The family had last been seen at the turn off to Cascade Falls, near the village of Torrent Bay where they were staying.
A local tour operator helped to transport a Land Search and Rescue (Land SAR) team into the area.
Some hours later the Land SAR team made voice contact with the missing party but could not find them due to the steep terrain, police said.
Three rescuers and a police officer were then flown into the area by helicopter, which was able to winch rescuers down into the Falls River area where the missing group was found.
"The Land SAR team warmed the individuals up, fed them, and assisted with getting them back onto the track and back to Torrent Bay where they were renting a bach," the police said.