Hunter found alive in Te Urewera

A Te Puke man missing in Te Urewera National Park since Saturday has been found alive.

Brent Williamson, 48, who was on a hunting trip with a companion when he went missing, was found about 1pm yesterday in rugged terrain by a search party.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Police area commander Pat Tasker said Mr Williamson was cold and tired.

He was airlifted to Whakatane Hospital for a check-up but was otherwise fit and well.

On Saturday morning Mr Williamson and his hunting companion set off for a day hunt. They were due to meet later that day at a rendezvous point, but Mr Williamson failed to show up.

The pair had arranged to be picked up by helicopter at midday on Monday. The companion raised the alarm after he was picked up.

A search team of about 40, as well as a co-ordination team and an Air Force Iroquois helicopter, went looking for Mr Williamson yesterday and he was found about 5km from where he was last seen.

Mr Tasker praised Mr Williamson for not moving far from where he went missing.

"Search efforts were enhanced by Brent's wise decision to stay put in an area he believed searchers would cover once he realised he was lost," he said.

"He stayed there for four days and three nights until located through a co-ordinated and thorough search."

Mr Tasker said searchers were exhausted as Mr Williamson's rescue followed that of another person in the same area on Monday afternoon.

- NZPA