Police flown in for Tararua arrest

Police defended the use of a helicopter, saying it would have taken five hours to tramp through the Tararua Ranges to the hut in question. Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

A chopper load of police officers were called to a hut in the Tararua Ranges after a drunk man became threatening towards a group of high school students last night.

Detective Inspector Paul Basham, acting Wairarapa area commander said police received a phone call from a group of trampers, which included a teacher and half a dozen Year 12 students, around 8.30pm.

"The group had been hoping to stay at Powell Hut but became concerned when another couple arrived to stay at the hut, and the male became intoxicated, turned angry and began to behave irrationally."

The group decided to leave the hut, and called the police soon after.

Mr Basham said police used the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to bring in three police officers and a police dog up to Powell Hut.

"Given it is about a five hour tramp on foot, we held concerns for the safety of the man's partner."

The man was arrested without incident and has since been charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear in the Masterton District Court later this month.

"Even though the deployment of the helicopter comes at a considerable cost to police, our actions last night should send a clear message to the Wairarapa community that police will respond decisively where they become aware of any threat of violence against a person."

- NZHERALD ONLINE