Search and Rescue underway on Stewart Island

A search and rescue operation is underway after a hunter was reported overdue on Stewart Island this morning.

The 74-year-old man was last seen around 6:00pm last night when he went out for a hunt, but failed to return.

Sergeant Ian Martin said, Police were notified by Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) around 9:00am this morning after the group of four, who he was on the hunting trip with, activated their Personal Locator Beacon.

The search area is in the vicinity of Port Adventure, which is approximately 20km southeast of Halfmoon Bay.

A helicopter has dropped LandSAR volunteers to the search area this morning and further volunteers are on their way by boat.