A heartwarming video shows the moment two lost children were reunited with their families after they went missing following a bush walk in Southland.
Police received a report at 5:15pm on Saturday that Charlie, eight, and Lilyanna, 11, hadn't returned after going for a bush walk from the campground at the northern end of Mavora Lakes Road.
Police said teams searched through the night and a further 30 searchers were deployed at first light on Sunday. A helicopter was also brought in to assist, along with search dogs and volunteers from Land Search and Rescue and Amateur Radio Emergency Communications.
The two children were found at around 10am on Sunday. They were 1.5 kilometres from the campground in a clearing near the lake.
"They have been transported back to the search and rescue base and are being assessed by medical staff," police said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
"Police wish to thank everyone who was involved in the search overnight and this morning, including volunteers who travelled from around the Southern region to join the search."
They added the children's parents are "delighted" to have them back and are very grateful of the efforts of everyone involved in the search.
