Two children are safe and sound back with their families after a harrowing night lost and alone in dense bush near Te Anau.
A large team of rescuers searched through freezing conditions and pouring rain for the pair who went missing on Saturday afternoon.
There was a heartwarming happy ending as the rescue chopper landed late on Sunday with the two children safely on board.
Eleven-year-old Lilyanna ran out to her parents first, followed by family friend and now bush survival partner, eight-year-old Charlie.
A group of three families were braving a mid-winter camp at the remote Mavora Lakes campsite in Fiordland when five children went off to play in the surrounding dense bush. But only three came back.
"Two of the children while playing with others ended getting disorientated as to their location," Sergeant Terry Wood from Queenstown Police said.
"Around 5pm last night, Invercargill Police were alerted. They have responded."
A huge search unfolded with over 40 on the ground and air.
"They spent the night in the forest. They've huddled down under a tree that the little girl talked about having faces in the bark and that was obviously an attraction from their point of view," Sgt Wood said.
Police said the young pair did very well in the cold and wet dark night.
"Tried to keep dry, and keep each other company. They stayed together and they had a phone with them but there's no reception in the area but they did have the time," Sgt Wood said.
After little sleep dawn broke.
"[They have] woken up this morning having heard helicopter noises overnight and they've made their way down toward a clearing they came across," Sgt Wood said.
It was here they were found by a search team.
"There was a woop of delight when the info was passed that the kids were found, they were obviously very stressed, going through all sorts of feelings and thoughts," Sgt Wood said.
The families told Newshub: "We are just so grateful that Lilyanna and Charlie were found safe and well. They did all the right things and are in good spirits.
"We would like to thank everyone who sacrificed their long weekend and work through the night to bring our kids home."
The families are now home, safe and relieved - and Lilyanna and Charlie now have one heck of a story to tell their friends when back at school.
