Police have recovered the bodies of an internationally recognised mountain guide and their client who died in an overnight fall on Aoraki Mt Cook.
The climbers were in a party of four, roped together in pairs, climbing from Empress Hut to the summit when the two fell from the mountain's west ridge.
Canterbury Aoraki area commander Inspector Vicki Walker said the group included two New Zealand mountain guides and two foreign nationals.
She said their bodies were found about 7am and had since been recovered from the mountain with the help of the Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue Team and the Department of Conservation.
"We're working under the jurisdiction of the coroner to return them to their loved ones. Police are contacting the next of kin. Until that process has been completed we won't be releasing any further information," she said.
"Most importantly our thoughts are with the clients' families and friends in the community at this difficult time."
Police were alerted to four climbers needing help late on Monday night after the two survivors used a device to alert the Rescue Coordination Centre, they said.
Two helicopters were dispatched to begin the search, with the survivors flown from the mountain at 2.15am.
Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said it was a busy mountaineering season.
"Recent fine weather has drawn many mountaineers to the high alpine, with multiple guided and recreational teams summiting Aoraki Mt Cook over the past week," he said.
"Current conditions on the mountain are considered ideal for mountaineering, with firm overnight snow conditions and well-filled glaciers following early spring snowstorms."
New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) president Anna Keeling said the guide, who was yet to be formally identified by police, was a respected and valued member.
"They were an integral part of our guiding community.
"NZMGA's focus is now on those most affected and our priority is supporting the family, including their partner and children, as well as our wider guiding community during this extremely difficult time," she said.
A formal investigation would take place, Keeling said.
"There will be an opportunity for the NZMGA to understand and share more about what happened in this tragic accident," she said.
Three climbers, 56-year-old guide Kurt Blair, 50-year-old Carlos Romero from the United States and an unnamed Canadian guide, died while climbing Aoraki Mt Cook in December 2024.
Daisley said their bodies have not been recovered.
"These mountaineering fatalities are a reminder of the high-consequence environment of our alpine mountains, especially our highest peak," he said.
"Mountaineering has very little margin for error. Even the most qualified professionals cannot eliminate all risk."
Police said the two survivors were being offered support.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade directed inquiries to police.
