15 May 2022

Couple rescued from Tararua ranges track

6:21 pm on 15 May 2022

A couple have been rescued from the Mount Holdsworth track after several hours huddled in the cold.

The Northern Crossing in the Tararua Ranges.

Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana

Land Search and Rescue located the pair after they took a wrong turn to an overnight hut on the Tararua Ranges track and failed to correct their path.

Wairarapa Acting Sergeant Richard Butler said in a statement that weather conditions worsened and the couple were blown off their feet several times.

At around 4pm the couple called police, and rescue teams found them at 11pm last night.

The group then spent the night at a hut and walked down this morning.

Sergeant Butler said the couple were fortunate to have cellphone reception, but people should never just rely on cellphones to send for help.