At about 8.30pm last night (Sunday, 10 February) Rotorua Police were advised of an overdue walker in the Whirinaki Forest Park, situated South-East of Murupara.
The missing person is a Murupara local woman aged 47 years. She was one of a group of approximately 10 people who were walking and running around a track in the Whirinaki Forest Park near Minginui. She became separated from the group and when she did not arrive back at the car park emergency services were called.
Last night Police sent a team of Search and Rescue Squad members in to the area who searched until 4.30am this morning without locating her.
At first light a further four teams were sent in to the field. These teams include Police personnel, search and rescue volunteers, a mountain bike team and friends of the missing woman.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.