Body of Missing Tramper Connor Purvis Found on Mount Huxley After Week-Long Search

The search for 20-year-old Connor Purvis, who went missing while attempting to climb Mount Huxley in the Mackenzie Basin's Lake Ōhau area, concluded with the discovery of a body on the southern side of the mountain approximately 9am on January 6, 2026.

Connor Purvis // NZ Police

Purvis had set out to climb Mount Huxley in late December 2025 and failed to return as planned, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation that spanned multiple days. The search effort involved approximately 50 people who conducted ground searches of the upper South Temple Valley, Mt Huxley, and the Huxley River South Branch, supplemented by helicopter support.

Search authorities deployed advanced Recco radar technology—a device designed to locate people lost in outdoor environments by detecting items such as head-torches and cellphones—marking the second use of this technology within the same week. The Mount Cook Alpine Cliff Rescue team assisted in the operation across the challenging, remote terrain.

While formal identification procedures were pending at the time of discovery, authorities believed the body to be that of the missing tramper. The discovery came after an intensive week of coordinated search efforts involving multiple organizations and volunteer teams working in difficult mountainous conditions.

Otago Coastal Search and Rescue Coordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat acknowledged the scale of the operation and the support provided by the community. The search involved Oamarama Land Search and Rescue, Oamaru Land Search and Rescue, Wanaka Land Search and Rescue, Dunedin Land Search and Rescue, Mackenzie Land Search and Rescue, Otago Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, Oamaru Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, the Mt Cook Department of Conservation Alpine Cliff Rescue Team, Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue, the Wanaka Swiftwater and Canyon Search and Rescue Team, Heliventures Oamaru, and Helicopter Line Mt Cook. The Omarama volunteer fire brigade and members of the public who provided information also contributed to the search efforts.

Police extended their condolences to Purvis' family and acknowledged the cooperation and assistance provided throughout the operation.