A Chinese backpacker missing for three nights in bad weather near National Park, Ruapehu, has been found "a bit weather-beaten" but alive and well, police said.
The 28-year-old, who had been travelling on his own around the North Island, was last seen on Sunday before he went for a walk in the Tupapakura Falls Track area.
A search team found the man just after 1pm today on the outskirts of National Park.
"He's a bit weather-beaten, but at least he's alive and well," a police spokeswoman said.
The man, who has not been named, is now being transported from the remote mountain location and will be given a medical check, the spokeswoman said.
No details over how he went missing or how he had spent the last four days have yet come out.
The alarm was raised about noon yesterday by the owner of the accommodation where the man had been staying.
Police were concerned for his wellbeing, with reports that he was under-prepared for the bad weather in the area.
One police team searched throughout last night and six more search teams were deployed early this morning.
The seven search teams comprised 30 people from Wanganui LandSAR and police staff from Marton, Whanganui, Taihape, Turangi, and Taupo.
Search coordinator Sergeant Colin Wright described the weather conditions today as "not great".
