A man was forced to spend a night on the slopes of Mt Ngauruhoe after he became lost while descending the peak yesterday.
Greenlea Rescue Helicopter pilot Nat Every, the base manager for the Taupo-based rescue service, said the man had become disoriented before losing his way.
After a night on the rocky slopes of the mountain, he was able to get cell phone coverage and call police this morning.
Police directed the rescue helicopter crew to an initial search area, using a description the man had given.
Despite intermittent mobile coverage and only five per cent of his phone battery remaining, the helicopter crew was able to establish phone communication with the man.