One of the two trampers found after weeks in the Kahurangi National Park has paid tribute to the search and rescue team.
Jessica O'Connor and Dion Reynolds were found near Fraser Stream in the South Island national park on Wednesday, having been out in the bush since May 8. An extensive search and rescue operation occurred after the pair didn't return when they were expected, but efforts were hampered by poor weather and the difficult terrain.
In a post on a Givealittle set up by her brother, O'Connor thanked "every single person that has been following and supporting this crazy story".
"The community's love has been overwhelmingly beautiful and it just shows what we can do when we come together in a positive way."
O'Connor said she and Reynolds went through something "that you never think would happen to yourself", but she was "eternally grateful" for the emergency response that led the pair to being found.
"At the end of the day we wouldn't be here if it weren't for the efforts of the Police, LANDSAR, Fire Service, Defense Force, all the volunteers, friends and family, donors and the power of positive energy.
"While I would never wish this experience upon anyone, there has been a lot learnt and I'm hoping to use this experience to educate others that explore this beautiful country."
She wrote that she had "so much gratitude for this precious life we all live" and that although it had been difficult she "never lost hope".
"It really is amazing what you can do when your life depends on it!"
The Givealittle page was set up to raise money for LandSAR during their efforts to find the pair. It has raised $33,431.
Speaking to RNZ on Thursday, Reynolds said the pair had become lost after fog disorientated them. He spoke of how they each became injured and that a mossy stream with freshwater kept them alive.
"It was a real surreal experience, trying to keep positive and keep hope up."
The helicopter pilot who found them, Matt Gibb, told Newshub that a smoky fire the pair made was what led him to their location.
"It was the smoke that saved them that day. It was the only thing we saw that was out of the normal. Smoke just slowly coming through the canopy of the forest and that was enough to attract our attention.
Gibb said the area was covered in "thick bush".
"You can't see the forest floor. Except when you are hovering over, there was a really big dead tree beside where the smoke was coming out, and we were hovering over that and you could see the ferns on the ground, it was really steep-looking.
"You could actually see, just by chance, down to the forest floor and there they were.
"It was pretty amazing to see them well and standing up and hugging each other and they were really, really happy to see us. We were pretty excited to be part of that… it was amazing."
