The death of Te Papa chief executive Seddon Bennington and his tramping partner has "staggered" the Dunedin museum community.
Specialist alpine searchers found the bodies of Dr Bennington (61) and Marcella Jackson (54) one kilometre from a hut in the Tararua Ranges, in the open, in a snow-covered area yesterday morning.
The search began after they failed to return on Sunday from a weekend tramp.
Inspector Mark Harrison told reporters the bodies were to be helicoptered out and taken to Palmerston North yesterday afternoon.
The families were "obviously devastated" and Victim Support was working with them, he said.
"The area where Dr Bennington and Mrs Jackson were recovered was covered in snow and was out of the bush area," he said.
"Early indications are they were located short of the hut . . . but it doesn't appear that there has been any fall and they were located pretty close to the route."
The pair appeared to have strayed from the track, ending up in an area known as Bridge Peak.
Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson expressed sorrow at the deaths.
"Seddon Bennington served Te Papa and the people of New Zealand well over his seven years as chief executive. He was well respected and will be sorely missed."
Dr Bennington, who was originally from Hanmer Springs, held prestigious positions at the Carnegie Science Centre in the United States, Wellington City Gallery, Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth, Australia and Western Australian Museum.
He joined Te Papa in 2003.
He began his career as director of Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin in 1977.
Former Otago Settlers Association president Niel Wales said he was "staggered" to learn of Dr Bennington's death.
He recalled being part of the appointment team which interviewed Dr Bennington for the director's position.
"He was young, enthusiastic and had all the right qualifications [a PhD in zoology]. He was excellent, the best thing we had done.
"He was grateful for the opportunity to start his museum career [here]."
Otago Museum chief executive Shimrath Paul said professional disputes aside [Te Papa and Otago Museum had been in dispute over an unpaid bill], he had been good friends with Dr Bennington for nearly 20 years.
"I was totally shocked to hear the news. It is sad he has passed away - particularly under such tragic circumstances."
