'Tongariro will give my Chris the strength'

When veteran 1080 campaigner Taupo's Chris Short was diagnosed with terminal cancer six weeks ago, he told family members several times he needed to go back up Mt Tongariro.
On Sunday he did just that, heading out from his farmlet just north of Taupo for the first time in a month, telling his wife he was off to get some milk.
The 50-year-old, who is well equipped and experienced in the bush, spent his fifth day on Mt Tongariro yesterday.
His wife, Leanne Short, admits she is worried sick but is philosophical.
Her husband is passionate about his opposition to 1080. It landed him a two-year prison sentence 14 years ago after he hijacked a helicopter and forced the pilot to drop him off on the mountain. He remained holed up there for several days as a protest against the aerial use of 1080.
Mrs Short said her husband had always drawn spiritual strength from Tongariro and was probably heading to a special place there.
"He has a journal and a pen and I think he will be writing about 1080."
She is also hoping he will return in time to keep an appointment with his surgeon.
Chris Short has already used the pilgrimage to draw attention to the 1080 debate. Although he has no cellphone, his daughter Teryl, 20, and a family friend managed to catch up with him on the mountain on Wednesday.
Through them he relayed a request for a recent documentary on 1080, The Graf Boys, to be screened on national television.
Leanne also spoke to him and said he sounded good and was in good spirits.
She said his main wish was for everyone to be able to have their say about the effects of 1080.
"We know he will be able to take care of himself and that he needs some quiet time.
"We're also expecting that he is planning to come down soon," she said.
She has fielded a huge number of emails and phone calls of support from people all around the country over the past couple of days.
Police area commander Inspector Steve Bullock said at this stage no laws had been broken and there were no immediate concerns for Mr Short's health and welfare.
 Police were monitoring the situation and staying in touch with Mrs Short and other relevant authorities, including the Department of Conservation and local iwi.