An overdue tramper lost in one of the highest areas in Urewera National Park on the east coast of the North Island has been found after three days in rugged bush.
The 68-year-old was walking from Maungapohatu to meet relatives at Wairata on Tuesday, but became disoriented in fog and low cloud last weekend.
Family members raised the alarm on Thursday.
Two helicopters and more than 20 police search and rescue staff and volunteers were involved in the hunt.
They found the man fit and well in a stream at lunchtime on Friday.
The head of the Eastern Bay of Plenty search and rescue team, Sergeant Andrew O'Reilly, says the tramper was well-prepared and very experienced in what to do.
