Army joins search for two men missing in rugged Tongariro National Park

The two men were last seen on Saturday night. Photo/File

The Army will help the police's co-ordinated search for two men lost in rugged bush in Tongariro National Park.

Vincent Taurima and a friend, both in their 20s, are believed to have fled police in a stolen car on Saturday before running into the bush.

On Monday they contacted police by cellphone, saying they were lost and cold and needed help.

Bay of Plenty police operations manager Inspector Kevin Taylor said about a dozen Army personnel from Waiouru would join fresh and existing police and volunteer search teams, on the fringe of Kaimanawa Forest.

Taylor said today's search was concentrated in a 3sq km area, close to the Pillars of Hercules.

"Yesterday's discovery of items possibly belonging to the pair - including a plastic water bottle and shoes - helped police to focus on a particular area."

The men were last seen on Saturday night.

"As more time passes, our hopes of finding them fade. Police continue to liaise with the families of the pair and we are doing all we can to find the men. Due to the weather, a helicopter is unable to join today's search."

Vincent's brother Taurus Taurima told Newshub he was joining the search.

"We were told we weren't allowed to go in, but we were in there anyway.

"We're here. We're doing out best to make sure we find him and bring him home," Taurus said.

Vincent's father Tony Taurima told Newshub his whanau was devastated by the boys' disappearance, but they were holding on to hope he and his friend will be found alive.

"I just want him out of there, that's all I want. I don't care what it takes," Taurima said.

"He's still a kid in my eyes... He's still my boy."

Taurima was trying to comfort his injured friend, his father told 1News.

"The other guy had an accident. He had a cut on his head and was unconscious for a little while so he's sort of gone out of his way to take his clothing off to keep him warm."