Missing woman found in ranges

A woman missing in the Tararua Ranges near Wellington has been found but bad weather will force her to spend another night in the ranges.

49-year-old Louise Wilkinson was found just before 1.30pm on the southern crossing route between Otaki Forks and Kaitoke.

She was "wet and cold and miserable" and "heading for hypothermic-type conditions", said Police search and rescue spokesman Daniel O'Connell.

Searchers had battled gale force nor'westers and rain, with visibility of about 100 metres, he said.

"Helicopters are putting our staff as close as they can to her, but it's nowhere near where she is at the moment."

Mathew Nolan from Wellington search and rescue said this afternoon it would not be possible for Ms Wilkinson to be evacuated from Atkinson Ridge today.

At least three people, including a paramedic, would be with her overnight and a further support team was set to arrive shortly, he said.

"Additional teams have been sent in with warm food, fuel and tents so the people who are up on the top -- who are in a very, very exposed situation -- can safely stay with her for the night," he said.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman Dave Greenberg said the tramper would be evacuated by helicopter once the weather cleared.

A search was launched after Ms Wilkinson, believed to be from Wellington, contacted her brother by cellphone. Her battery had run out before he found out where she was.

She had been on her way to Alpha Hut last night. But this morning she sent a text message to her brother saying she had hypothermia, could not make it to the hut and needed help.

- NZPA