Stranded hunters under-equipped: Police

Five hunters and their dogs spent Sunday night huddled together in the northern Tararua Ranges after they were stranded by rising waters.

Five hunters and their dogs were airlifted from the northern Tararua Range on Monday afternoon after being cut off by rising waters and ending up trapped in dense bush.

Police said it was a reminder to hunters and trampers that preparation was vital before heading into the bush.

The group, aged in their late teens to early 50s, became trapped in the Mangahao area after weather deteriorated on Saturday night and they discovered they could not recross the Mangahao River the next day.

They spent Sunday night in the open, huddled together.

One of the men managed to find cellphone coverage the next day, alerting rescue teams. The men and dogs were winched out by the Palmerston North rescue helicopter.

All members were suffering from varying degrees of hypothermia, said Sergeant Andy Brooke, Manawatu SAR co-ordinator.

"The men and their dogs were very lucky and this situation once again highlights the need to be prepared for emergencies and have alternate plans when venturing into the outdoors, whether it is into the hills or on the water," he said.

"All members of the group were under-equipped to handle a change in plans when the elements deteriorated and did not carry any form of shelter or weather appropriate clothing to spend a night out in the bush.

"Cell phones should not be relied upon as a means of emergency communication. People should consider taking an emergency locater beacon or a radio hired from the Mountain Radio Service."