The man went walking in some bush near Maunu, Whangārei.

Search and rescue volunteers were forced to break their self isolation to look for a lost man who broke coronavirus lockdown rules to go for a bush walk.

Thirty LandSAR volunteers in Northland were called out to help find the man who got into trouble while walking in the bush in Maunu, near Whangārei, on Sunday.

The man eventually walked out onto the highway, unharmed but with a few scratches from falling down some waterfalls.

One of the volunteers said the man not only put his own safety as risk but that of the rescuers and their families.

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"We're considered an essential service and we were called out to look for this chap."

"This could have ended up so much worse and now our searchers have breached their isolation bubbles."

The volunteer urged people to stay at home during the lockdown.

​"If you do go for a walk, tell someone where you're going, how long you expect to be away for and take some form of communication with you."

A police spokesman confirmed an elderly man went missing while walking in Maunu on Sunday morning.

"His whereabouts were unknown and search and rescue personnel carried out an extensive search.

"The man had become lost in the bush and he was very fortunate that search and rescue staff located him safely around 6pm after several hours of searching."

Police reminded people that any exercise should be limited to their local area.

"The Level 4 guidelines are clear that hiking and tramping are not permitted during this period and the public are asked to avoid these activities and avoid walking in bush areas.

"Engaging in these activities can put yourself at unnecessary risk of getting lost and potentially use valuable police time and resources which can be used elsewhere."

During the lockdown people are able to exercise in their neighbourhood or travel to essential services such as supermarkets or pharmacies. All other activities should be avoided.