Tramper may have left area

A photograph police have of the missing German tramper.  Photo supplied.
A photograph police have of the missing German tramper. Photo supplied.
Police search and rescue staff are considering the possibility a German tourist, believed to be missing in remote bush in the Manapouri area, has walked out on her own accord and continued her tour of New Zealand.

The woman, known only as ''Tina'' and believed to be 25, was dropped by water taxi on the western bank of the Waiau River at 11am last Thursday.

It was believed she intended to walk to the Hope Arm hut and return, but she failed to meet her arranged water taxi at 6.30pm.

Police were notified at 8.30pm and a Southern Lakes Helicopter pilot with night vision equipment and three teams on foot began a search soon after.

Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield, of Southern District Police, said police had deployed 10 teams of three people into the Hope Arm Manapouri area to search for the woman.

The teams consist of search and rescue volunteers from Dunedin, Gore, Invercargill and Te Anau and two search dogs from Dunedin.

A Southern Lakes Helicopter was supporting the ground search effort, Snr Sgt Butterfield said.

The search has continued for the past three days with no sign of the woman, and police are now considering the possibility she may already have left the area.

''She may not be aware we are looking for her,'' Snr Sgt Butterfield said.

''There is a good possibility that she has safely left the area of her own accord. There is also a chance she may be injured, and obviously we need to cover off both bases.''

Snr Sgt Butterfield said part of the problem was that police had not been able to officially identify the woman.

''We think her name is Tina, because that's how she referred to herself when she was on the water taxi.

''But essentially, she hasn't paid for the trip with any bank records, so there's nothing that we can use to find out what her actual name is.

''If we knew who she was, it would be much easier.''

Police have released photos of the woman, in the hope someone may recognise her and help police identify her.

The woman is of medium build, with long auburn hair, and was last seen wearing dark clothing and a small day pack.

Anyone with information should contact their nearest police station or call Te Anau police on (03) 249 7600.

-john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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