A group of five climbers were dramatically rescued from Mt Taranaki yesterday after a rapid deterioration in weather left them stranded high on the mountain, triggering a major search and rescue operation.
Emergency services were alerted at around 2.15pm, after a distress call reported that one member of the group had collapsed and CPR was underway. The climbers, believed to be a mix of visitors from Wellington and Taranaki with varying levels of alpine experience, had set out early in the morning aiming for the summit via the North Ridge route — a popular but demanding ascent known for its exposure to fast‑moving weather.
Acting Sergeant David Bentley, the Search and Rescue Incident Controller, said the operation quickly escalated as conditions worsened. Teams from RCCNZ, LandSAR, Alpine Cliff Rescue, Civil Defence and several helicopter operators were deployed, but low cloud and strong winds initially prevented aircraft from reaching the upper slopes.
“Due to the weather conditions, the helicopters called in to assist with rescue efforts were unable to reach the summit of the mountain,” Bentley said. “Rescue teams on the ground also began to climb up the mountain towards the group.”
Ground crews reached the climbers shortly after 6pm. The first patient — the individual who had been receiving CPR — was in critical condition and was extracted at around 6.20pm. A brief break in the weather allowed helicopters to return, lifting the remaining four climbers off the mountain by 6.50pm.
All five were transported to hospital. One remains in critical condition, two are in serious condition and two are in moderate condition.
Bentley said the group is “lucky to be alive.”
“We were in and out very quickly, and had it not been for that break in the weather, there was a very good chance we would have been dealing with fatalities,” he said. He thanked the partner agencies whose rapid response prevented a tragic outcome.
Mt Taranaki, despite its symmetrical beauty, is considered one of New Zealand’s most deceptive peaks, with weather capable of turning dangerous in minutes — a reality underscored once again by yesterday’s rescue.