Stay safe in the outdoors this Wellington Anniversary Weekend

Local Search and Rescue teams are reminding trampers, hunters and mountain bikers to take precautions if they are heading out over the long weekend.

Inspector Simon Perry, head of the Wellington District Police Operations Support Group, says "With the last long weekend coming up for a while and a reasonable weather forecast we know that a lot of people will be heading out.

"It's all ready been a busy year for the Wellington and Wairapara Search and Rescue groups with searches in the Tararua and Akatarawa Ranges.

"No one is immune from the elements and you need to be prepared in case things change.

"Weather conditions can change quickly and be unforgiving.

"If you haven't told someone where you are going, or taken emergency locator equipment with you, it makes it much harder for help to get to you.

"The wait for families and friends while a search is underway can be excruciating and is unnecessary.

"If you're heading out make sure you follow the five rules of the Outdoor Safety Code.

"Plan your trip, tell someone where you are going, be aware of the weather, know your limits and take sufficient supplies.

"The vast majority of the 13 search and rescue operations undertaken since the beginning of summer wouldn't have been needed if people had followed the five outdoor rules or used personal locator beacon.