Two sisters were winched from the Tararua Range after becoming trapped by swollen rivers.

Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter pilot Chris Moody said the pair were reported overdue by family members yesterday.

They had been forced to alter their intended route due to swollen rivers.

After searching the expected routes and huts in the South Ohau area, in from Levin, police and search and rescue crews on board the helicopter found the sisters near the Waiopehu Hut about midday yesterday.

On the same trip a solo male tramper, exhausted by a few days of bad weather, was picked up from a landing site.

The sisters were winched aboard the rescue helicopter.

- © Fairfax NZ News