Body of missing hunter found

The body of hunter Donald Hooker, missing in dense bush near Taumarunui for a week, has been found, police said today.

A surveyor kayaking on the Wahapapa River saw the body 2.5km south of the original search area yesterday at 7pm.

A post mortem examination will be done today to establish the cause of death.

The search for Mr Hooker, 66, had been called off yesterday after six days of intensive search.

Searchers had covered about an eight square kilometre area, including gorges and rivers, as well as air searches by helicopter.

Mr Hooker was last seen by a hunting companion early on December 15, when the two men went into the Tongariro Forest near Owhango for a morning hunt.

The two men split up and agreed to meet four hours later, but Mr Hooker did not return.

Mr Hooker was lightly clothed with very little food and equipment, and the area has been cold, with heavy rain, since last Wednesday.

Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Wilton today praised the efforts of the search teams.

- NZPA