A crew member from the helicopter walked the group to a location the helicopter could pick them up from, the spokesperson said.
It was a good reminder to those keen on heading into the bush at this time of year to check whether forecasts and the potential impact of sustained rain on rivers and tracks beforehand, the spokesperson said.
“This response also highlights the importance of beacons. Cellphone coverage around these hills can be patchy and having a beacon was pivotal in ensuring this group could be safely picked up.”
Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.