A search is under way in South Westland for a Nelson woman who has not been heard from in eight days.
Gabriel Mabbs, 62, of Wakefield, last made contact early on April 3, when she phoned her mother in Auckland from Hokitika, telling her she was heading south to go on a six-day tramp.
"She has not been seen or heard from since," Senior Constable Mike Tinnelly, of West Coast police search and rescue, said today.
She is an experienced tramper and carries a distress beacon.
The Greymouth Star understands Ms Mabbs' vehicle, a 1996 white Ford Falcon stationwagon registration number UW1390, has been seen in the Cascade Saddle area, south of Jackson Bay.
"She is travelling alone and we would like to hear from anyone who may have spoken to her or seen her vehicle parked at the start of any tramps around the South Westland area." Mr Tinnelly said that all Department of Conservation staff had been alerted and would be checking all tramping car parks south of Ross.