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The police in Twizel are trying to establish the cause of a fatal climbing accident in Mt Cook.
A Japanese man died and another is in Christchurch hospital with serious leg injuries, after falling 300 metres below Zerbriggen ridge early Thursday afternoon.
Police received the emergency call from people in Plateau Hut, and are hoping to interview as soon as possible.
The rescuers say there was a minor avalanche during the rescue operation, but they will not be stopping climbers who want to go into the area.
Senior Constable Brent Swanson from Twizel police says conditions were difficult for the Mt Cook rescue team.
Two other people were airlifted to hospital in separate incidents in the South Island on Thursday.
One man suffered leg injuries while tramping in Banks Peninsula and a man using a hanglider was in a crash in the Takaka Hills near Nelson. Both are in a stable condition.
Meanwhile, police are reluctant to say whether a more substantial barrier may be needed at a Taupo cliff top where a young man fell to his death.
Greig Warner, 22, died after stepping over a chain barrier and falling 10 metres down a grassy cliff overlooking Lake Taupo.
Sergeant Mark Robertson of Taupo police says there is already a significant barrier at the site on the lakefront. He says it is difficult to say whether the barrier is adequate.
Robertson says the issue should be addressed by the council and police once the coroner has reported on Warner's death.
