Two missing motorcyclists in Akatarawa Forest found safe and well

Two missing motorcyclists in Akatarawa Forest, north of Wellington, have been found, a relative of a rider and police confirmed.

Jim Moore and Andy McCallum had been reported overdue on Sunday night from an off-road motorcycle ride in the forest in Upper Hutt.

Police were called about 9.40pm after the motorcyclists had failed to return at the expected time of 5pm.

Their four-wheel drive vehicles were found at the entrance to the forest in Upper Hutt.

Police and Land Search and Rescue and civilian volunteers resumed looking for Moore and McCallum at first light, and the Westpac rescue helicopter flew over the Akatarawa ranges from early morning.

Tracey Petterson, the sister-in-law of one of the men, said the pair were found about 9.15am.

Petterson said the pair were very experienced riders and it was unusual for them not to come out before dark.

"His brother-in-law and my daughter, who are also riders, are heading in right now to try and locate them," she said on Monday morning.

Police later said Moore and McCallum had been assessed by ambulance staff and were reported to be uninjured.

Petterson said she was hugely grateful to the nearly 30 local riders who headed into the forest to search for them.