Men get lost in bush

Two men lost in the bush since Saturday may have tinned food and blankets with them, police say.

After being pursued by police on the Desert Road, the two men ditched a stolen car and ran into the Tongariro National Park bush.

Operations Manager Inspector Kevin Taylor said the two men are from Palmerston North and aged 21 and 26 years old.

‘‘Talking to whanau . . . we’ve learned the boys may have some tinned food with them – tins of sardines or tuna,’’ he said.

‘‘And a small backpack with a couple of blankets and a jacket.’’

The family believed the items had been in the car.

The items were not found inside the car when it was recovered by police.

Around 40 LANDSAR volunteers have tramped into the Central North Island park and into the nearby Kaimanawa Forest Park to search for the men.

The sole focus of the search mission was to bring the men out safely, Taylor said.

‘‘One-hundred per cent of our focus is on the search and rescue mission.

‘‘Despite the fact they were in a stolen vehicle and that was the original reason we had engaged with them and wished to speak meaningfully with them, that is not the purpose of this operation.

‘‘It’s not hostile, but it’s thick bush. It’s cold and it’s wet. We’re not talking a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park.’’

Due to weather conditions, the Greenlea rescue helicopter had not joined the search.