Lost hunter chooses to pay for rescue

A hunter lost in bush northwest of Napier on Wednesday faces a bill of $1000 after being airlifted to safety yesterday, after choosing not to wait for rescuers.

Napier police acting senior sergeant Graham Single said the man went into bush in the Makahu region of the Kawekas with a couple of companions, but they became separated.

Using his phone, he called police about 3.20pm and told them he was lost.

A Hastings police officer familiar with the area spoke to the man and suggested he stay put and a team of rescuers would go in the next day (yesterday) and bring him out.

"But he said he was only wearing a singlet and did not want to stay up there overnight."

Mr Single said the man told the officer he was prepared to pay the cost to be airlifted out, so the Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter obliged.

"He was obviously not prepared. It is very frustrating for us," Mr Single said, adding it was the second search and rescue in the region over the past week.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY