Searchers urgently looking for two trampers missing in the upper South Island are to pull out of exposed areas for their own safety as bad weather approaches.
A severe weather warning has been issued for Nelson west of Motueka with heavy rain expected overnight.
The area includes the Kahurangi National Park where Jessica O'Connor and Dion Reynolds have been missing for more than a week.
The 23-year-olds set out from Anatori on May 9 and were due back on May 14-15.
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The hunt for the pair began on May 19 with police, volunteers, the New Zealand Defence Force, Urban Search and Rescue, Land Search and Rescue and the fire service pitching in. A team from Alpine Cliff Rescue Mt Cook yesterday joined the search effort.
Searching resumed this morning with weather conditions being monitored.
Settled weather has been a blessing so far, but police warned yesterday the incoming bad weather would hamper their efforts.
In a statement this afternoon police said up to 100ml of rain was expected in the area in the next 24 hours.
"As such, search efforts will focus on areas that are safe to operate in through the rain, and teams in more exposed areas will pull out for their safety."
An earlier aerial shoreline search from the Kahurangi Lighthouse north to Farewell Spit had not found anything of note, the statement said.
— MetService (@MetService) May 22, 2020
Rain was forecast to develop from midday in the national park, becoming heavy at times from the afternoon, according to MetService. Northerly winds are expected with gales in high places later before easing overnight.
A heavy rain warning is in place from 4pm, ending at 5am Monday.
Between 70-100mm of northerly rain is expected to accumulate over that time, with peak rates of 10-15mm an hour.
"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous," MetService warns.
O'Connor and Reynolds are experienced in the outdoors, and O'Connor, who works for Abel Tasman Kayaks, is said to know the area well.
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The area is in dense bush, which has made searching difficult.
Police continue to ask anyone who has been around the Anatori, Webb, Kokopu, Independent and Fraser rivers since May 8 to get in touch.
Anyone with information should contact police on 105 and quote event number P042228949.
Police will issue an update on the search today.
