Mamaku Plateau - lost hunters found

This morning at about 9.30 am Rotorua Police were notified of a group of overdue hunters on the Mamaku Plateau. The group aged 15, 22 and 23 had been dropped off in the Mokaihaha area south of Mamaku village yesterday morning.

They failed to arrive at their pre-arranged pickup at midday yesterday, and after spending all afternoon and all night trying to find them, a family member then notified Police.

A search was mounted this morning utilising Police Search & Rescue squad personnel, LandSAR volunteers, and members of the Rotorua 4 Wheel Drive Club.

The trio were located by a search team at about 3.35 pm. Where they were found was about 7 kilometres from where they had been dropped off.

The group had become lost yesterday and had made camp overnight. This morning they set off and after a time realised they were back where they had started from. [the area they were in is flat, featureless, heavily forested, and extremely difficult to navigate]

They eventually located a major river which by following led them out of the bush and onto a road.

The men were tired and hungry but otherwise none the worse for their night out.
Unfortunately they were not well prepared, took no compass or map, and had minimal food with them.

Once again this serves as a lesson to those going into the outdoors that you need to be prepared, and follow some basic rules.

• Plan your trip.

• Tell someone. [where you are going and when you will return so they know when to raise the alarm]
• Be aware of the weather.

• Know your limits.

• Take sufficient supplies. [this includes food, clothing to cover all eventualities, and a means of communication]