New Zealand police ‘pause’ search for missing hiker

Search efforts for a British hiker who has been missing for more than a week in New Zealand have been “paused”, police have said.

Eli Sweeting, 25, who is originally from Bristol, was reported missing on 4 May after failing to return from a solo hike up Mitre Peak, a steep mountain on the country’s South Island.

A large-scale search was launched with teams of local volunteers alongside helicopters and search dogs, and some of his family flying out to help.

But on Monday afternoon, local time, Insp Matt Scoles, acting commander for the district, said police had made the “difficult decision” to pause search efforts.

“We have been supporting the tramper’s [hiker’s] family and we know this is difficult news for them to hear at what has been an incredibly distressing time,” he said.

“While the search has now been paused, we will be reviewing our efforts and looking to see if there is anything further we can do.”

In a fundraising post, Mr Sweeting’s sister, Serena Sweeting, said he was an “experienced climber” who had “hiked in this terrain many times”.

Insp Coles said the Milford Sound area, where the search had been focused, was “extremely dangerous and challenging terrain”.

“We have focussed on searching the route used by climbers as well as an aerial search of the entire area using two helicopters and thermal imagery. Additionally a drone has also been deployed,” he said.

The search party had focused on a route heading down the mountain after spotting a light there, but the dense forest created issues with detecting movement.

Police remain in frequent contact with the family, Insp Coles added.