Two Wellington women missing on day walk

Police and voluntary LandSAR teams are combing the Kapakapanui Track in the Southern Tararua Ranges for two women who have been missing since yesterday.

Sergeant Anthony Harmer, Police Search and Rescue, said the two women were only lightly clad for their day trip after leaving their car at a Waikanae road end.

“The weather has deteriorated in the area, it’s low cloud and temperatures have dropped,” he said. “We became concerned for them when they failed to come out last night as planned at 6pm.”

A total of 16 searchers are now combing the Loop Track which was the women’s planned activity. They are also checking the Waiotauru Hut, Some other walkers on the track had seen the pair, Anita McGonigle (39) and Kim Dunne (36) both from Churton Park, around 12.15pm in the area of The Trig. That was the last sighting.

“We are concerned at the women may have become disoriented since yesterday. We’re appealing for any sightings of them, especially from other trail runners or bush walkers who were in the area yesterday.”

The two women are lightly equipped and the weather is expected to deteriorate further.

If you have information that will help, police call police immediately on Wellington Police 04 381 2000.

A photo of the women taken yesterday by another walker who saw them at The Trig is will be posted shortly.