Police have formally identified the two climbers who died while attempting the north buttress of Sabre Peak in Fiordland over the weekend.
The men were 28-year-old Connor Scott McKenzie, a dual New Zealand–Canadian citizen, and 23-year-old Tanmay Shetankumar Bhati, an Australian national. Police confirmed both were living in Australia at the time of the incident.
Emergency services were alerted after the climbers failed to return from their ascent. Details surrounding the circumstances of the fatal incident have not been released.
Police said they are maintaining contact with the families of both men and are providing ongoing support as they come to terms with the loss.
As with all sudden deaths, the matter has been referred to the Coroner, who will determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths.
