Tararua Ranges - update re land resuce

At 7 p.m on Saturday 14th July Police Search and Rescue were advised that a 50 year old male had injured his knee while tramping in the Tararua Range. The male and his tramping party that included his 16 year old daughter and two of her friends had made it to Te Matawai Hut. The hut is one days walk east of Levin in the western Tararua Range.

At about 10 a.m. on Sunday 15th July the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter went into the area but due to wind, rain and cloud were unable to reach the hut.

A member of Land SAR New Zealand was dropped as close as possible to the hut and walked the two hours to the hut with extra food.

The weather in the area is poor at the moment and is forecast to remain that way for the rest of the Monday.

The weather is set to improve on Tuesday and an attempt will be made to fly to the hut and bring the party out.

The party is warm and in good spirits, they have supplies for several more days.