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Taupo police are considering charging a Rotorua man who left his kids in a vehicle in the bush while he went hunting.
His decision led to a large-scale search and rescue operation after the youngest child - a two-year-old boy - wandered off in the Kaingaroa Forest in the Bay of Plenty yesterday.
Sergeant James McGrogan said the toddler had been left with his five-year-old sister about 3pm.
"When the father returned about two hours later, the boy had wandered away from the vehicle, and could not be found," Mr McGrogan said.
He was forced to drive out of the forest to establish cellphone contact so he could raise the alarm.
The ensuing search involved about 30 people and the toddler was found, unharmed, about 3km away at 11.40pm.
Mr McGrogan said it was an offence to leave children unattended and that charges were being considered. A decision was likely in the next week.
Police had not chastised the man last night, instead concentrating on finding the youngster.
The children were familiar with the bush, Mr McGrogan said.
- NZPA
