Police launch search for missing 74-year-old hunter on Stewart Island after personal locator beacon activated

Half Moon Bay , Stewart Island.

Police have begun a search for a missing hunter on Stewart Island.

Sergeant Ian Martin said a hunter was reported "overdue" on Stewart Island this morning.

"The 74-year-old man was last seen around 6pm last night when he went out for a hunt, but failed to return," Martin said.

A rescue helicopter was sent to the island after the hunting party activated their personal locator beacon.

"Police were notified by Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) around 9am this morning," Martin said.

It is now a land search operation for the missing man.

The search area is in the vicinity of Port Adventure, which is approximately 20km southeast of Halfmoon Bay.

A helicopter has dropped LandSAR volunteers to the search area this morning and further volunteers are on their way by boat.