Puhoi man dies laying possum traps

A 69 year-old Puhoi man has been found dead after failing to return from laying possum traps in Puhoi, north of Auckland.

The Puhoi local was found in an area of bush at 4am after friends reported him missing to police at 7 o'clock last night, three hours after he was due back.

Inspector Ian Brooker said the man's friends and search and rescue staff searched bush overnight.

Mr Brooker said the man's next of kin had been notified but his name would not be released until other family members had been told of the death.

- NZHERALD STAFF