What happens when people go missing in the bush in New Zealand

The New Zealand backcountry is a wild and adventurers paradise. However things do go wrong occasionally. Accidents, weather changes and shortsightedness. When this happens there are groups of volunteers that will drop tools and come find you. The terrain is challenging and searchers are usually deployed by helicopter.

A search team leaving from Queenstown Airport on a sunny afternoon. It is not always this warm. Usually snowing and rainy for most callouts as cold kills.

A fully loaded helicopter flying over steep hills.

Mt Earnslaw and Glenorchy.

Finding evidence of the lost person is crucial. A simple boot print is enough to get a direction of travel and identify the subject.

If staying out overnight, sometimes searchers are lucky enough to stay in the numerous huts dotted around the hills. The trusty tent is the backup plan.

A view of some of the awesome hills that lure the adventurer.

Searches all finish at the cop shop for debrief and a cold beer :)