An Australian man, who was reported missing over the weekend, has been found safe and sound.
Perth resident Mark Bannister (44) is in the Queenstown area on a fishing and camping trip.
Hewas initially in regular contact with his wife in Australia but the family lost contact with him, and when he could not be contacted for days, the police were notified.
It turned out he had been fishing at Mavora Lakes, in Northern Southland, an area which does not have cellphone coverage.
"A hut warden in the area had heard he was missing, and when he spotted Mr Bannister and his vehicle, he contacted the police," Constable Craig Gibson, of Queenstown, said.
"He was doing fine, and was quite surprised to hear he had been reported missing."
Const Gibson said charges would not be laid as there was no criminal intent, just "miscommunication" between the man and his wife.
They couple usually spoke twice a day and the wife raised the alarm with police on Sunday morning when she had not heard from her husband since Friday.
The search had not cost anything because the operation was in its infancy, Const Gibson said.
