26 Dec 2013

Search for tramper stalled by weather

12:34 pm on 26 December 2013

High winds and cold temperatures continue to hamper a search for a British tramper, who's been missing in Nelson Lakes National Park for 11 days.

Andrew Wyatt, 41, was last seen leaving the Blue Lake hut on Te Araroa track on 15 December.

Police say on Wednesday and Thursday made it too dangerous to use helicopters but they hope ground searchers will be able to be flown to the area on Friday morning.

The police are appealing for sightings of Mr Wyatt, who is six foot one inch tall, with ginger hair. He was carrying light equipment.

He arrived in New Zealand on 21 November with the intention of walking the Te Araroa Trail which links tramping routes from Cape Reinga to Bluff.