A mountainbiker found Wai Ming Lai, 51, in a bad state at the intersection of the Bush Creek and Sawpit Gully tracks about 8.30am on October 22, 2022.
Mr Lai, who was "making moaning noises" and smelt strongly of alcohol, quickly deteriorated and became unresponsive, coroner Amelia Steel said in findings released yesterday.
Other track users stopped to help, finding his diabetes medication and taking his blood-sugar levels.
However, attempts by emergency service workers to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Ms Steel said a pathologist reported the cause of death as hypothermia, with elevated levels of alcohol.
Mr Lai had arrived in Auckland from Hobart on July 24 for an intended three-month holiday.
After spending nearly three weeks in Wanaka, he had been staying in Queenstown for two days when he travelled to Arrowtown by bus on October 21.
CCTV footage showed him leaving the public toilets at the township’s skatepark about 9pm.
He was wearing a puffer jacket and long pants, and carrying a red backpack.
About 10.30pm, he was seen on the Bush Creek track by another walker.
"It appeared to the walker that Mr Lai was resting on the path, as he was sitting down and leaning on his backpack," Ms Steel said.
A friend of Mr Lai said he had diabetes, but believed he drank moderately and had not known him to take illegal drugs.
He enjoyed travelling overseas between work commitments.
Police reported there was nothing suspicious about Mr Lai’s death.
The overnight temperature was 1°C, and alcoholic ginger beer was found close to him.
"The high level of alcohol recorded in his body samples may account for him becoming disoriented and/or possibly falling asleep on the track," Ms Steel said.
"Unfortunately, he was not prepared for the overnight conditions, he was insufficiently dressed and was not sheltered from the elements; consequently Mr Lai suffered hypothermia and died."
