The Armed Offenders Squad, police dogs and a helicopter were called in to hunt for a prison escapee, who was eventually caught hiding in bushes on the banks of the Manawatu River.
The 55-year-old man escaped from a work party in Ashurst about 9am, three hours before being recaptured.
A Manawatu Prison spokesperson said they were taking what he described as a "walk away" seriously and there would be a full operational review.
The escapee was in police custody and was expected to appear in the Palmerston North District Court later today.