Two men are dead after a microlight crash on the East Coast this morning.
The pair flew off from Wairoa Aerodrome around 3.15am and a friend raised the alarm an hour later when they failed to return.
The men were found in the crashed microlight about 400m from the aerodrome by a police search and rescue team around 7.30am.
Police said that the two victims, aged 30 and 39, were both from Wairoa.
Both were experienced microlight pilots but it was believed drink may have been involved.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said weather conditions in the region were unfavourable for flying with heavy showers, reports of lightning, and patches of fog.
No emergency beacon had been activated.
An investigation had been launched into the cause of the crash.
