Two men who spent the night in cold conditions in the Kaimai Range have made it out of the bush.

The hunters, aged 44 and 20, went into the bush at the end of Whakamarama Road at about 4am yesterday but failed to return by 9am.

Photo: File.

They managed to call family at around 11am to say they were lost, just before their phone cut out.

Police were advised of the situation at about 4.20pm yesterday and a search and rescue operation was mounted. Read more here.

Efforts to locate the men overnight failed.

The men have been located and were greeted by friends and family who have been anxiously waiting at the Whakamarama Road entrance to the area.

"Two missing hunters are safe and well having made their own way out of the Kaimai Ranges," says Bay of Plenty Police communications manager Kim Perks.

"The pair made their way out to State Highway 29 near Ngamuwahine Road where they were able to use their mobile phone to contact family at approximately 11am.

"They have been picked up by family and are tired and cold but require no medical assistance."

The search and rescue teams have now stood down.

Missing hunters are safe and well having made their own way out of the Kaimai Ranges http://t.co/IW8QAmAYaX

— Bay of Plenty Police (@BOPPolice) May 27, 2015