Michael Clarke of Over the Top Helicopters was rescued by co-workers today and returned to Queenstown after stopping for lunch on the way home.
"This morning Mr Clarke had been re-dicing and checking the helicopter prior to attempting the flight home," a media statement from the company said.
Over the Top Cheif executive Louisa Patterson flew to Mr Clarke to help out.
Mr Clarke chose to stay with his iced-over helicopter after Helicopters Otago flew during a lull in the storm yesterday and picked up his four overseas passengers.
The tourists, two from Japan and two from South Africa, had hired helicopter company Over the Top to fly them from Queenstown to Dunedin on Tuesday, so they could catch their flight to Auckland and then head home.
Changable weather forced the pilot to land, about halfway to Dunedin.
The pilot was in constant cellphone contact, but because of the weather a rescue could not be mounted until yesterday.
An Over the Top spokesperson told the ODT about 10.15am today they were 'just about to get him', and hoped to have more details later in the morning.
Passenger Elmien Smit told TV One yesterday she was "extremely scared" during the 18 hours they were in the helicopter and buffeted by the polar blast.
Fellow tourist Karl Hammerschmidt said the group spent the night taking pictures, telling stories and trying to keep warm.
He was very happy the pilot had put safety first and landed the helicopter, he said.
Helicopters Otago chief executive Graeme Gale told the Otago Daily Times it was a pretty straightforward mission to retrieve the passengers.
They were well equipped for the weather, with survival gear, clothing and food, he said.
The passengers were in great spirits and seemed to think of the experience as a great adventure.
They were given a cup of soup on arrival at the Taieri airfield.
Over the Top chief executive Louisa Patterson said she was pleased with the way the pilot, whom she declined to name, handled the situation.
"There were unprecedented weather changes in the whole of the South Island and the pilots are trained to either turn around or stay put and he elected to land.
"The pilot needs to be given full marks."
The tourists were now on their way home.
