Wairarapa trampers found safe

Two trampers missing in southern Wairarapa have been found alive and well.

The European women were reported missing last night after failing to return from a day tramp to the Pinnacles in Aorangi Forest Park, near Martinborough.

Search and rescue teams spent the night in the bush and were joined today by a helicopter and extra ground teams.

The women had walked out of the bush around lunch time, Constable Pete Cunningham said.

The pair had become lost after taking a wrong turn and police were speaking with them to establish exactly where they had gone wrong.

They were found in the same area as the last three groups who had gone missing in the bush.

"All three (recent) searches we've had in that area have gone in the same direction, so we're trying to figure out why people do this."

Search co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Murray Johnston said the women had been well-equipped for their tramp with emergency clothing to keep them warm as they spent the night in a trampers' hut.

- NZPA