A person has died after a climbing incident on Mt Ruapehu, police confirm.
Police and LandSAR recovered the woman's body on Sunday after she fell on the mountain on Saturday.
The group of nine were heading up the eastern side of the mountain and traversing Cathedral Rocks when she slipped and fell down the slope at about 12:30pm.
One person from the group climbed down to her and contacted emergency services, but strong winds meant she couldn't be rescued by helicopter. Instead, a ground search and rescue team was deployed.
Police said search and rescue teams found her and her group at about 5:40pm. The woman was carried out by a stretcher and her companions were taken to Tukino Lodge. She was pronounced dead at the lodge.
Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said it is an "absolutely tragic event" for the woman, her family and friends, and the people she was climbing with.
"Many in the group were relatively new climbers, but they were well-prepared and while the weather changed throughout the day, when they set off the conditions were suitable," he said.
"While this was not the outcome anyone wanted, I want to acknowledge the bravery of those in the group who climbed down over a number of hours to assist her, as well as two other climbers who came across the scene and stopped to help.
"I also want to thank all the LandSAR men and women who worked tirelessly through the afternoon and well into the night in absolutely shocking weather to return the deceased to her family and rescue the rest of the group off the mountain."
