Police pause search for men missing in Tongariro

3:44 pm on 23 August 2017

The search for two men lost in rugged bush in Tongariro National Park has been stopped until at least the end of the week.

The area near Tree Trunk Gorge Rd on the edge of Tongariro National Park and Kaimanawa Forest Park (file photo).

Police have stopped the search to assess options. Photo: RNZ

Police said the men abandoned a stolen car 10 days ago and fled into dense bush.

The only traces have been the remains of a campfire and some discarded clothing.

A rāhui preventing people from visiting the search site is in place until the end of the week, while the operation is assessed.

Hundreds of volunteers, specialist search teams, and the police dive squad have been searching for the men.

On Tuesday, police said they were in close contact with men's families and they remained determined to bring the pair home.

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