A search is under way for a helicopter that reportedly disappeared near the Nelson ranges.
New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman Steve Rendle said there was one man onboard the missing commercial helicopter, believed to be in the Kahurangi National Park.
Two helicopters had left Karamea on the West Coast about 8am and flew towards Nelson, he said.
A person from one of the helicopters raised the alarm just before midday when that chopper had reached Nelson and the other did not.
"They weren't in sight of each other during the flight and as we understand it there was no radio communication between them."
The search area was 25km west of Motueka, Mr Rendle said.
"It's steep, bush-covered terrain. Weather conditions are clear but windy."
Two Westpac Rescue Helicopters were scouring the area, Garden City Rescue Helicopters general manager Simon Duncan said.
The company that owned the helicopter used a tracking system, "which leaves a breadcrumb trail" every three minutes of the helicopter's last known position, he said.
"So we're going to search its last known position.
"I've spoken with the pilot [of one of the rescue helicopters] and they're looking for any obvious signs where the helicopter may have gone into the bush."
The emergency locator beacon had not been activated, Mr Duncan said.
By Rebecca Quilliam of APNZ
