Backpacker going to buy a Lotto ticket after survival

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A Chinese backpacker who survived three days missing in the bush says he might buy a Lotto ticket to test his luck.

Cheng Chen, 28, went for a walk in National Park, Ruapehu, on Sunday but lost his way and spent three days in the bush, without food or equipment, as poor weather closed in.

A search team found him on Wednesday afternoon on the outskirts of National Park.

He was discharged from Taumarunui Hospital today after receiving treatment for exhaustion and exposure to the cold.

Mr Chen acknowledged some people would describe him as lucky to have survived the experience.

"I'm going to buy a Lotto ticket, if I win a prize that should prove if I'm lucky," he said.

Now would be a good time, with tomorrow's Lotto jackpot standing at $32 million.

However, Mr Chen declined to elaborate further on his experience, saying it was embarrassing.

"I went to see a waterfall and got lost in the National Park without food, without water, no hiking gear, and nearly died," he said.

The alarm was raised about noon on Tuesday by the owner of the accommodation where Mr Chen had been staying. He had not been seen since before he went for a walk in the Tupapakura Falls Track area on Sunday.

There was concern for his wellbeing, with reports that he was unprepared for the stormy weather that struck the North Island earlier this week.

After Mr Chen was rescued, search co-ordinator Sergeant Colin Wright, said he was lucky to have survived.