Tourist falls 15m from cliff in Bay of Islands

An ambulance boss is praising locals and holidaymakers who helped rescue a Canadian tourist in extremely difficult circumstances after she fell from a cliff in the Far North.

The 54-year-old woman fell about 15m onto rocks from the top of a cliff at the northern end of Mahinepua beach, about 8km north of Matauri Bay.

The accident occurred about 7pm on Friday during a severe thunderstorm and as darkness was falling. The badly injured woman could be reached only by inflatable rescue boat.

It is understood she had been out for a walk with her daughter when the pair split up, the mother returning to their accommodation by an alternative, lower trail.

The daughter raised the alarm when she failed to return. She was found about 45 minutes later at the base of a cliff.

St John Kerikeri operations manager Nick Scott said the woman was unconscious for an unknown length of time and had suffered head injuries, fractures to a leg and possibly an arm, as well as multiple lacerations.

A private IRB was used to reach her at the base of the cliff, where she was given IV pain relief, immobilised and taken back to the beach where the Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter was waiting to fly her to Whangarei Hospital.

Mr Scott said the rescue posed a number of challenges. Not only did rescuers have to contend with difficult access and egress, but also unpredictable swells, imminent darkness and electrical storms.

"It was excellent teamwork by a small group of locals and holidaymakers which contributed to successfully transferring the patient from the base of the cliff to the IRB and then the beach. I'd like to personally acknowledge them for their efforts," Mr Scott said.

Advanced paramedic Mark Going said he had planned to winch her from the rocks into the helicopter, despite the difficult conditions, but when the chopper arrived she was already in the IRB on her way to the beach. She was in a serious condition when airlifted to Whangarei, he said.

It is understood the Canadian visitor had originally been due to leave New Zealand this week. Her prognosis for recovering from her injuries was described as "reasonable".

Just north of the beach a Department of Conservation walkway, known for its spectacular coastal views, follows the ridge along the top of the Mahinepua Peninsula.