Police have named two trampers who were found dead on a track in Tararua Forest Park on Monday.
A file photo shows a Department of Conservation sign pointing towards Alpha Hut in Tararua Forest Park, north of Wellington. Photo: Flickr / Brett Taylor
They were 39-year-old Mykhalo Stepura, also known as Michael, and 32-year-old Pavel Pazniak.
Police said both men were foreign nationals but had been residents in New Zealand for some time.
Mr Stepura, who was from Ukraine, lived in Lower Hutt. Mr Pazniak, from Belarus, lived in Auckland.
The pair worked for Xero. The software company, which has its headquarters in Wellington, said staff were deeply saddened by the deaths and it was supporting their families and other team members.
The men headed out on Saturday to tramp from the Waiohine Gorge to Alpha Hut. They were due back on Sunday evening, but did not return.
Their bodies were recovered from the bush on Monday.
Police said the autopsy findings would be passed to the coroner, and investigations into the deaths were continuing.
The pair had been on an overnight tramp to Alpha Hut. Photo: Google Maps
