Six people escape from Wellington bush after overnight ordeal

Kaitoke Regional Park.
Kaitoke Regional Park. Photo credit: Google Maps

Six people have walked out of the bush after an overnight ordeal north of Wellington.

The lucky escapees - five of whom are younger than 18 - were due to arrive at Pakuratahi Falls in Kaitoke Regional Park on Sunday but did not arrive by 6:30pm.

Aerial attempts to rescue the single adult and the children, aged between 11 and 17, were hindered by wind, said police. 

The Westpac rescue helicopter located the group at 9:30pm in the Hutt Gorge, but due to wind it could not winch the group out.

A walking team was sent into the gorge and at 4:30am on Monday the party was reached. By 6am they had walked out, and were being checked for hypothermia.