A person needs emergency medical attention in Te Urewera National Park.

Their emergency beacon was activated just before 5 this afternoon.

The Rescue Coordination Centre is responding but cannot confirm how many people the beacon is registered to.

Police say the team's in contact with the owner of the beacon and it's believed they're near Maungapohatu Marae.

Two helicopters sent in have had to return because of low cloud.

A ground team is now trekking into the range.

It's going to be several hours before they reach the remote marae.