Search for tramper suspended
Woman has been missing for over two weeks
The search for a 79-year-old Auckland woman in the Pureora Forest near Taupō has been suspended. Judy Donovan has been missing for two weeks after becoming separated from her companions while laying bait lines on Saturday, 23 March.
Inspector Will Loughrin said the area she went missing in had been searched extensively.
He thanked searchers for their efforts, and said that while Donovan was not found, they brought energy and compassion to the search.
Last week, a police spokesperson told the Taupō and Tūrangi Herald the officer in charge of the search had advised that efforts to find the woman were “being reviewed”.
“Consideration [is being] given to what further search efforts could be undertaken,” the spokesperson said.
Pukekohe Tramping Club has confirmed the missing woman was Judy Donovan, 79.
She was reported missing on March 23 after becoming separated from a group laying bait lines in Pureora Forest.
Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission’s website, described Donovan as “the key driver and facilitator” of the Pukekohe Five Summits Trail project which connected Pukekohe’s five volcanic knolls and the natural and urban environments between them using existing roads and public trails.
Donovan was recognised as a 2022
Outdoor Access Champion for her work on the project.
The Commission’s website said Donovan was one of five women in 2022 who “helped improved public access for New Zealanders”, creating more opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors.
Donovan is also an active member of the Pukekohe Tramping Club.
On Tuesday, a police spokesperson said the search of Pureora Forest had continued over the weekend with support from LandSAR and Police SAR.
“Unfortunately, there have been no updates.”
Five days into the search, Senior Constable Alastair Methven said Donovan’s medical profile suggested she “may become unresponsive and curl up to a small position”.
Methven said LandSAR volunteers, dogs and Canyon Search and Rescue were involved in the search.
“Police Eagle helicopter also spent time over the area using thermal imaging.”
Methven said Pureora Forest has a thick canopy, multiple waterways and waterfalls.
Volunteers from Hamilton, Waitomo, Waihi, Te Aroha/Paeroa, Taranaki, Tongariro, Thames, Tūrangi, Taupō, and Tairua/Pauanui/ Whangamatā LandSAR also assisted in the search.
Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said Donovan was of medium height, about 167cm tall, and of slim build with grey hair.
She was last seen wearing trailtype shoes, black pants and possibly a silver jacket.
Pitkethley said police would like to thank landowners who had assisted police and Land SAR in accessing and searching areas of their land and everyone who had provided information to assist.
Accessible from multiple entry points along State Highways 30 and 32, Pureora Forest Park is a 78,000-hectare forest reserve between Lake Taupō and Te Kuiti.
According to the Department of Conservation’s website, in 1946 the forest became one of the last native forests to be opened up for logging.
The annual Pureora Hunting Competition, a pest control event that targets pigs and deer, has been held in the forest since 1988 and was running until April 28.
Police and Donovan’s family would remain in contact with locals in the area who had knowledge and experience of the area, Inspector Loughrin said.
Donovan is known as a highly respected and experienced member of the tramping community.
Police want to hear from anyone with information that could help in locating Donovan, if it has not yet been reported. Calls to police can be made on 105, referencing file number 240326/8540, or information could be left on the police website.