17 Apr 2018

Trampers found in Tararua Ranges after night in bush

2:55 pm on 17 April 2018

Two missing trampers have been located in the Tararua Ranges - but haven't been rescued because of bad weather.

A DOC signs points towards Alpha Hut in Tararua Forest Park

A DOC signs points towards Alpha Hut in Tararua Forest Park Photo: Flickr / Brett Taylor

Police and Air Force search and rescue teams were taken by helicopter to the Ranges about 9pm last night and located the men just after 1am today.

Police Sergeant Fiona Read said the well-experienced trampers went walking on Saturday but got into difficulty due to bad weather.

They had a personal locator beacon and activated it while seeking shelter, she said.

The trampers were found cold, tired and exhausted and were taken to a nearby Department of Conservation Hutt, she said, where they were given food and dry clothing.

A Defence Force spokesperson said bad weather conditions meant they had so far been unable to get the trampers out of the Ranges.