The father of the teenage hunter missing in the Abel Tasman National Park says his son is an experienced bushman who knows how to survive.
Leith Stothers, father of 18-year-old Hamish, said from Waipukurau in Hawkes Bay that he believed his son would be all right, as he had good survival skills and good quality tramping gear.
About 40 searchers headed into the park yesterday to search for Mr Stothers, 18, who has been surviving on dog biscuits after injuring his ankle. He reported this by cellphone, but was cut off by poor reception or a failing battery.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Major railway line reopens after temporary repairs to storm-damaged bridge
One of the 610m-long bridge's concrete piers washed away during a storm on April 12.