Police and LandSAR volunteers have resumed their search for two men in Tongariro National Park, near the edge of Kaimanawa Forest, after discovering a number of items of interest.

Remnants of a campfire, believed to be lit on Saturday, were found near to where the 111 call was made on Sunday morning.

Items of clothing and a shoe was also found approximately 150m north of where the fire had been lit.

Volunteers have focused their search to the area radiating out from where the campfire and clothing were found.

Police believe the two men will now be in a very serious condition, likely suffering from hypothermia.

Inspector Kevin Taylor says the search teams will remain in the bush for the day.

‘The bush is exceptionally dense and this is a challenging search,' he says.

‘If the two individuals are in a condition where they're not responsive, they will only be found once a searcher is in their immediate vicinity.

‘The longer these young men remain in these conditions, the less likely it is that they will survive.

However, today we still remain determined and hopeful that we will find them alive.'

Over 40 Search and Rescue volunteers have travelled from around the country and will continue an intensive search today in 10 teams of four.

Due to poor weather, a helicopter is not able to assist.

Any further updates on the search today will be released as they become available.