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Taradale High School student found safe after going missing in forest park

NZ Herald1NewsStuffOtago Daily TimesRNZWednesday 14 October 2026 · 5 outlets · 6 reports · updated

In this story Land Search and Rescue

Photo: NZ Herald (opens in new tab)

A male student from Taradale High School has been found safe after separating from his group during a tramping trip to Sunrise Hut. The teenager was located by a search and rescue helicopter in Ruahine Forest Park. He has since been reunited with his parents.

Key facts

4 facts
  • Student from Taradale High School found safe1NewsRNZ
  • Location: Ruahine Forest Park near Sunrise HutNZ Herald1NewsOtago Daily Times
  • Time of disappearance: Tuesday around 7.10pmNZ HeraldStuffOtago Daily Times
  • Search method: Ground teams and search and rescue helicopter1NewsRNZ

The full story

1 min read · 5 outlets

A teenager from Taradale High School has been found safe after becoming separated from a group during a school tramping trip. The student was located by a search and rescue helicopter in Ruahine Forest Park.1NewsRNZ

The student has since been reunited with his parents. Taradale High School confirmed the student was found on Wednesday afternoon.1NewsRNZ

The incident occurred on Tuesday when the student became separated from their group while hiking towards Sunrise Hut. Police were notified of the disappearance at approximately 7.10pm on Tuesday.NZ HeraldStuffOtago Daily TimesRNZ

Police and Land Search and Rescue volunteers conducted ground searches in the Sunrise Hut area until the early hours of Wednesday. The search continued throughout Wednesday using field teams and specialist equipment.NZ Herald1NewsStuffOtago Daily Times

How it developed

  • Wed 14 Oct, 12:08pmThe student was located by a search and rescue helicopter and reunited with parents.1News

Where reports differ

  • One report specifies the missing student was male, while others do not mention gender.NZ Herald1NewsStuffOtago Daily TimesRNZ

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, 1News, Stuff, Otago Daily Times and RNZ.

How they headlined it

First reported by NZ Herald, Wed 14 Oct, 11:18am · 6 reports from 5 outlets over 3 hours
  1. NZ HeraldNZ Herald

    Hawke’s Bay student missing overnight from school hike; search underway (opens in new tab)

  2. 1News1News

    Teen missing after losing group on school tramping trip (opens in new tab)

  3. StuffStuff

    Search underway for missing teenager on school tramping trip (opens in new tab)

  4. Otago Daily TimesOtago Daily Times

    Search underway as student goes missing on high school tramping trip (opens in new tab)

  5. RNZRNZ

    Missing Hawke's Bay student found by search and rescue helicopter (opens in new tab)