Searchers are mounting a night-time ascent of Mount Taranaki to try to rescue two climbers trapped near the summit
The pair, a 31-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, have been trapped since at least 10pm Saturday night in freezing blizzard conditions that have hampered efforts to reach them.
The two climbers have dug into the snow in an effort to shelter from high winds and driving snow.
The climbers from Auckland are in contact with rescuers via text messages.
Senior Constable Jeff McGrath says the 31-year-old man and 29-year-old woman cannot be rescued at the moment due to the extreme conditions and low visibility, but as the weather improves , alpine specialists will resume their search.
Mr McGrath says the specialists are from the Taranaki Alpine Cliff Rescue and Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation.
Two other climbers, a 65-year-old man and 38-year-old woman who were part of the group, managed to make their way off the mountain on Saturday morning after a night on the slopes in what's been described as filthy weather.
They are now recovering from mild hypothermia, cuts and bruising.
Police say the climbers are experienced and well-equipped.
The climbers set off on Saturday to climb the mountain and that evening sent a text message to say they were stuck and had split into two groups.
Searchers were up all Saturday night looking for the group.
