Body found in area where hunter vanished

Searchers gather at the base of operations during the search for Murray Edge. Photo / NZ Police

A man's body has been found in an area in the South Island where a hunter was reported missing four weeks ago.

The body was found in rugged terrain in the upper Tengawai River area of Mackenzie, Inspector Dave Gaskin, Canterbury Rural Area Commander, said.

"The body is located in an area of particularly rugged, scrub-filled terrain with lots of steep, gorge-type creeks," he said.

"Officers will complete a scene examination before the body is able to be moved to allow formal identification to take place.

"This is standard procedure in situations such as this, and police will not speculate on the outcome of an ongoing investigation."

The death has been referred to the coroner, Mr Gaskin said, who will determine cause of death.

No details of the deceased man will be released until formal identification has been completed and next of kin informed, he said.

Dunedin hunter Murray Edge, 64, went missing in the area last month. He was last seen around 8.30pm on Sunday, April 19 after he became separated from a friend he was night hunting with on a farm about 40 minutes inland from Timaru.