A missing Auckland hunter who sparked a search-and-rescue effort has turned up safe and well.
Police were concerned for the wellbeing of 57-year-old Alan Phillips who was hunting on his own in the Pureora Forest, west of Taupo.
The experienced hunter, who only took food for one day and no camping equipment, spoke to his family at 7pm on Saturday, said he would return the following evening and would call if he planned to stay on longer.
However, they had not heard from him since then and contacted police with their concerns.
It turned out Phillips' cell phone battery had gone flat and he had been unable to call family to reassure them.
