A woman who had been missing on the Opunake coast in Taranaki has been found after spending the night in a cave.
Police say the 24-year-old was located by family members about 8am.
She had last been seen by her stepmother about 3pm on Monday walking across farmland to the beach, with a white blanket wrapped around her.
Senior Sergeant Matt Prendergast says the woman was being treated for minor hypothermia by ambulance services.
He says it appears she spent the night in a cave and was not able to get out because of the high tide.
A helicopter crew and ground searchers has worked through the night until the search was put on hold about 5am on Tuesday.
It had been due to resume after high tide about 8.30am but the woman was found before then.
Constable Jeff McGrath had earlier told Morning Report it had been a very cold night and police were concerned for the woman's safety.
He said the woman had had some personal tragedies in the last week, which had given them a bit of concern.
