Helicopter joins search for missing woman

A search resumed at first light this morning for a 62-year-old woman missing in the Rimutaka Forest Park near Wellington since yesterday.

Kaye Stewart, a former All Blacks' physio, was last seen about 12.30pm yesterday when she asked a Department of Conservation worker for directions.

She had set out about 10.30am after inquiring at the visitor centre about an hour-long walk.

A helicopter was now assisting the search, which comprised six teams of volunteers including two dog teams, Sergeant Joanne Holden of Wellington search and rescue said today.

The rescuers searched tracks and streambeds yesterday from about 3pm after Mrs Stewart's family raised the alarm when she failed to meet them as arranged.

The team only came out of the bush early this morning and was replaced by fresh searchers at 6.30am.

"Mrs Stewart is described as reasonably fit and she used to be a physio for the All Blacks' in the 1980s," Ms Holden said in a statement.

Her locked car was located near the Catchpool car park yesterday afternoon.

- NZPA