Tararua Forest Park file photo. Photo: CC BY-SA 4.0 / Michal Klajban
The search for a 72-year-old man missing in the Tararua Ranges continued on Wednesday with a ground team and police dog scouring the area.
The man went missing while hiking on Monday morning.
A helicopter was to to be launched about midday to join the search, depending on the weather.
Police search and rescue staff from Horowhenua, Wellington and Palmerston North searched the area on Monday.
Private helicopters, as well as those from the Airforce's number 3 squadron, were also called in to help.
Police said most searchers remained in the area overnight.
Anyone who was hiking in the areas between Waiopehu and Gable End Ridge from 5am on Monday until that afternoon are urged to call police on 105.
The Mountain Safety Council said the weather conditions on the Tararua Ranges had been wet over the last two days but not too windy or cold.
Chief executive Mike Daisley said the weather would be unpleasant, especially for the search teams.
He said the ranges were the third most active area for search and rescue in the country because of the rugged terrain that is accessed by a large population in the Wellington and Wairarapa regions.
"Some of the areas are quite dense where there's some really, really lush New Zealand bush in that area, right through to exposed ridgelines and exposed hilltops. You can easily get turned around if you get off a track in search of a bit of water or a better view. So, people can often take a little while to get back to the main track."
He said it was important people going walking in the Ranges were prepared for changeable weather with waterproof clothing and a tent.
