Missing hunting party found in Ureweras

A hunting group, which included three children, missing in the Ureweras National Park overnight has been found.

Two men, with a 12-year-old girl and two boys aged 10 or 11, are understood to have gone into the area on a hunting trip on July 3.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said a distress beacon was activated at 10.15pm yesterday.

Last night a fixed wing aircraft was deployed to search for the beacon's exact position, but the pilot could not get a strong signal.

Due to heavy rain and low cloud, a helicopter could not get up into the area until about 9.30am today when it airlifted a search and rescue party of three into the area.

A RCCNZ spokeswoman said a break in the weather had allowed a helicopter to head back into the search area where the missing group were spotted.

She said it was hoped the helicopter could land nearby, or they would be airlifted out on a strop one at a time.

The spokeswoman said it appeared the group had tried to reach the Otanetea Hut but were cut off.

"Everyone looks fine - no apparent injuries," she said.

- NZPA