An opossum trapper in the Raukumara Ranges, 135km south east of Rotorua, was unaware his emergency beacon had been activated.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) received a signal emitted from the beacon and tasked the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter to respond yesterday morning at 10.00am.
The tracking mission was made extremely difficult due to the beacon emitting a weak signal and the man continuing to move through rough terrain on a quad bike, unaware his emergency beacon was transmitting a distress signal.
He was eventually located an hour later, safe and well.