Police issued a statement at 3.13pm today saying two people had died in a helicopter crash.
The first reports of the crash had come in at 9.50am, the statement said.
In a later statement issued at 8.40pm, Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh, of Cromwell, confirmed "the helicopter was a chartered craft, and the occupants were on a hunting trip."
"The two people who died were the sole occupants of the craft at the time.
"Three others from the hunting group were located on the ground and taken to safety," Waugh said.
Two Wallis brothers, Matt and Nick, were killed in separate helicopter crashes in 2018.
Brother Toby is the chief executive of the company and their other brother Jonathan is the general manager.
The Wallis men are the sons of aviation pioneer and Warbirds Over Wānaka airshow founder the late Sir Tim Wallis and his wife, Lady Prue Wallis.
Police said Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination Centre had handed responsibility for the response to police, who were on scene this afternoon.
A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement this evening that they are aware of the accident and "are making initial inquiries to understand the circumstances and are liaising with other agencies involved".
"Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected at this difficult time," the spokesperson said.
Police also confirmed that the Transport Accident Investigation Commission has been notified, and that the deaths have been referred to the Coroner.
