Lost hunter returns to family

Antonio Barbarich-Waikari decided to remain in the bush overnight rather than risk endangering himself further. File photo / Northern Advocate

A long night of worry turned into joy for a Motu family and the community, 47km south east of Opotiki, today when a lost teenage hunter walked out of the bush.

Antonio Barbarich-Waikari, 17, did all the right things to survive after becoming separated, then disorientated, while pig hunting with his cousins and his dad, Joe Waikari, last night.

He spent the night curled up under a log with his dog Mindy, woke to the sound of his father and mother calling for him this morning and started to walk out.

"Dad was the first person I saw. He gave me a big hug," Antonio said.

"I was hunting and following my dog. She had a pig bailed up but then it started getting dark and I decided to head out.''

Unsure of the way out, and knowing his family would be extremely worried, he decided to stay put.

"I knew the best thing to do was wait. I camped up for the night. I slept under a log with my dog. I crashed out. I didn't even know it had snowed until this morning.''

Safe and well apart from his damp clothes, the relieved teenager was looking forward to a "good feed and a shower'' this morning.

This morning it was 4degC in the area but with strong winds in exposed places it could feel like minus 4degC, the MetService said.

- NZPA