A search for two trampers several days overdue from their hike in the Tasman District has resumed at first light this morning.
Locals Jessica O'Connor and Dion Reynolds, both aged 23, entered the Kahurangi National Park on May 9 and have yet to return.
Police said yesterday they had concerns for the pair who had set off on their tramp near the Anatori River car park and were due back last Thursday or Friday.
Police started searching for the missing pair on Tuesdaybut thus far have had no success.
O'Connor, who worked at Abel Tasman Kayaks, knew the area well and described herself as "passionate about nature and working in the outdoors" on the company's website.
"I'm proud of the fact that I'm doing what I love to do every day."
A Facebook post from the kayaking company said O'Connor was a "very competent outdoors instructor who we love to bits".
"We are hoping that this is just a miscommunication of an off the grid adventure," the post said. The company declined to comment to the Herald this morning, preferring messaging to come from police.
Anyone who has been in the Anatori, Webb, Kokopu, Independent and Fraser river areas since May 8 and may have seen the pair should contact police on 105, quoting event number P042228949.