Sixty involved in search for hunter

Up to 60 people have been involved in the search for a 66-year-old hunter who has been missing in bush southeast of Taumarunui since Wednesday morning.

Donald Wesley Hooker, from nearby Owhango, was dropped off in the Tongariro Forest Park area early in the morning but failed to turn up at a meeting point with a companion later in the day.

Sergeant Darcy Forrester, of Wanganui Search and Rescue, said in a statement this afternoon that teams had searched until 4am today, resuming again at 6am, but there was still no sign of Mr Hooker.

The Taupo-based Lion Foundation rescue helicopter searched the area for about an hour yesterday afternoon, but dense bush made it difficult.

The operation included Department of Conservation staff, police, locals, search and rescue volunteers and the fire service.

Rain, low cloud and rugged terrain had made searching difficult.

- NZPA