13 Oct 2014

Women missing in Kaimais found

6:26 pm on 13 October 2014

Two women who went missing in the Kaimai Range yesterday have been found safe and well.

A search was launched last night when the pair, aged 68 and 76, failed to return from a day tramp on the Tauranga side of the ranges at 6pm.

They were walking the Ngamarama Track, also known as Te Tuhi track, and the Leyland O'Brien track and walked out of the bush at about 3pm today.

Area commander inspector Clifford Paxton said the women had not been prepared for an overnight stay.

Mr Paxton said the women managed to contact family by cellphone earlier today before reception was lost, and that helped to narrow down the search.

Search and rescue volunteers spent last night in the bush looking for them.