The team was called to Aoraki/Mt Cook on Tuesday night after two of the four people attempting to summit the mountain fell to their deaths.
Helicopters Otago pilot Andy Craig said they located the two climbers near the summit using night-vision goggles.
They saw the bright light from their headlamps and were able to pinpoint their exact location.
"You can see any light for miles away with the night vision goggles, so it was pretty quick to locate the two."
The team already had a good idea where the climbers were as they had set off a personal locater beacon.
After winching them to safety at 2.15am, Mr Craig headed to the Department of Conservation rescue headquarters in Mt Cook Village.
The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) said the party — two guides and two clients — were completing a grand traverse of the mountain.
They were roped together in pairs, climbing from Empress Hut to the summit when one duo fell from the mountain's West Ridge.
The two killed in the incident were an International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations-qualified guide and their client, the NZMGA confirmed yesterday afternoon.
"One climber was seen sliding off the ridge, down the western side of Aoraki and then pulled the second climber, who was attached by a rope, off that same side," Search and Rescue pilot Nigel Gee told 1News.
Their bodies were found about 4.30am and had since been recovered with Doc’s help.
Canterbury Aoraki area commander Inspector Vicki Walker said police were in the process of contacting the next of kin.
"Until that process has been completed we won't be releasing any further information."
NZMGA president Anna Keeling said the guide, who was yet to be formally named by police, was a respected and valued member of the organisation’s 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."
Police said they were made aware of the incident on the mountain about 11.20pm.
Two helicopters were sent. One from Queenstown flew to Wānaka and picked up the Aoraki Doc search and rescue team, while the one from Dunedin flew directly to the mountain and began searching.
Alpine cliff rescue specialists were on board.
Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand's highest peak at 3724m.
