Terminally-ill protester leaves Mt Tongariro

Chris Short has vowed to stay on Mt Tongariro until an anti-1080 documentary is screened on national television. File photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Terminally-ill 1080 protester Chris Short has ended his protest on Mt Tongariro and left the mountain.

Mr Short, who was into his sixth day on the mountain, had said he would not come down come down until Clyde and Steve Graf's new anti-1080 documentary was broadcast on television.

The makers of the anti-1080 documentary Poisoning Paradise, Ecocide in New Zealand had appealed to Mr Short to come down off the mountain and return to his family.

Mr Short, 50, has a large tumour on a kidney and has been given only weeks to live.

Earlier today the Grafs said that they were concerned for Mr Short's safety

"We applaud Chris on his stand against 1080, and his support for our documentary, however it would be a tragedy if Chris were to come any harm," Clyde Graf said.

"The documentary was produced to highlight the dangers and damage that 1080 poison does to our environment and wildlife, but the documentary is not worth Chris coming to any harm for.

"We hope Chris will stay safe and come down off the mountain, so he can support our documentary from the warmth of his own home."

Mr Short was joined on the mountain yesterday by his brother, Vaughan, with supplies.

He said planned to stay with Chris while he continued his protest.

TV3 and TVNZ both said they had not been formally approached about screening the anti-1080 documentary, and Sky TV's New Zealand based Documentary Channel refused to comment.

Police were monitoring Mr Short's protest, but did not have immediate serious concerns about his situation, Bay of Plenty district communications manager Jacky James said yesterday.

He was not breaking any laws and was not missing.

If he was alone, it might be a different situation, she said.

Police had been talking with relevant parties including the Department of Conservation and Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper about the situation.

If Mr Short died in the bush, police would be involved in the recovery of his body, as they were with anyone who died in the bush, Ms James said.

His wife, Leanne, said yesterday she was hoping her husband would come down and spend his final weeks at home.

His prognosis was "a few weeks or we may get to Christmas", she told NZPA.

"I can see his point, but of course I'd like to have him at home with me."

She could not be contacted for comment today.

Mr Short has support among hunters who are talking online of a mass march at the weekend to see him.

Mr Short made headlines and was jailed for two years in 1995 after he hijacked a helicopter at gunpoint and made the pilot drop him on the mountain to highlight his fight against 1080.

- NZPA