A Rakiura Stewart Island hunter, missing overnight on Sunday (16 Mar) has been found after activating his personal location beacon.

The man has part of a group hunting in the Bosom Hunting block at Port Adventure, Rakiura Stewart Island.

Members of his hunting party became worried after the man failed to return to their hut at the intended (5pm) time.

One of the hunters carried out a search, including firing a few warning shots in an attempt to locate the missing man, but he was not located so at 9:40pm the decision was made to raise the alarm.

Southland Police Search and Rescue's Sergeant Ian Martin said that around 4am on Monday morning, Police engaged Southern Lakes Helicopters, who conducted a night vision goggle and thermal camera search but without success.

A full-scale search was then initiated with Land Search and Rescue volunteer teams from Rakiura/Stewart Island and Southland, supported by Southland Amateur Radio Communication (AREC) volunteers, Martin said.

Land Search and Rescue dog teams from Queenstown and Wanaka were also called in to assist.

However at 10:34am the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) received a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) activation from the missing man, and a helicopter responded, locating and safely winching the man aboard.

Martin said the man was taken back to the Port Adventure Hunters Hut and reunited with the rest of his hunting party.

This was a good example of the importance of taking a personal locator beacon when going on any outdoor adventure, once it was activated it led us right to his location and he was swiftly located and recovered, Sergeant Martin said.