Search for missing trampers suspended as bad weather sets in

The search for missing trampers Jessica O'Connor and Dion Reynolds has been called for the day due to "unfavourable conditions". Photo / File

The search for missing Nelson trampers Dion Reynolds and Jessica O'Connor has been suspended due to poor weather.

Police today said "unfavourable conditions" overnight and today meant both air and land-based searches were not safe.

However, planning was underway for a return to the field once conditions have improved.

O'Connor and Reynolds, both aged 23, entered the Kahurangi National Park on May 9 and have yet to return.

They were due back around May 14. Police now have concerns for their safety and have been searching for the pair for the past week.

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."

HAVE YOU SEEN JESS or DION Jess is part of our team, she is a very competent outdoors instructor who we love to bits. ...

Posted by Abel Tasman Kayaks on Tuesday, 19 May 2020

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.

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.