Kahurangi trampers

The Urban Dictionary describes a ning nong as someone who does something stupid and causes a nuisance to others. This is an accurate but mild and polite description of the two who went bush on a multi-day trip in Kahurangi National Park during Covid level 3 in direct defiance of the rules, immediately got lost, walked in circles, injured themselves, accidentally burnt their socks, and failed to maintain a constant fire to generate smoke. They also failed to carry a PLB, or even a simple GPS although they probably had one on their smartphones. To rub salt in the taxpayer wound, Search and Rescue then praises them for being wellequipped and doing the right things. One could get the impression SAR enjoy the thrill of the hunt. This is not hide and seek. It is a ridiculous waste of public money when this country can ill afford it.

Peter Gatley, Tamahere.