Body believed to be missing tramper Connor Purvis found

1 minute read
Posted 7 January, 2026
4JVB94L connor png

Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

A body believed to be missing tramper Connor Purvis has been found near Lake Ōhau.

Search and rescue teams looking for the 20-year-old in the South Island's Mackenzie Basin said a body was found on the southern side of Mt Huxley about 9am on Wednesday.

Police said while formal identification was yet to take place, it was believed to be the body of Purvis.

Purvis had been missing since he went to climb the mountain on 30 December.

Otago Coastal Search and Rescue Coordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat said the search had been "hard work" in a remote, rugged and high-risk environment.

"Police would like to thank all those who assisted in the search efforts, including multiple local volunteers and search teams such as the Ōmarama volunteer fire brigade, also members of the public who reported information to help us understand our search area."

It had been a long week for all involved, Sheat said.

"This has been a true team effort and the good people of Ōmarama and Mackenzie have been providing incredible support to the search teams."

On Tuesday, police had said new radar technology was being used to help find Purvis.

Reco technology was used to locate people lost in the outdoors, detecting items such as head-torches and cellphones.


Advert
Advert
SHARE ON

Related articles

Latest issue

Issue 1035 Read Now

Last week’s issue

Issue 1034 Read Now

DISCOVER THE QUEENSTOWN APP

Download or update to the new Queenstown App today

image

WHY ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH US

The Lakes Weekly is part of Queenstown Media Group (QMG).

QMG is Queenstown’s leading locally owned and operated media company with print, online and social platforms that engage locals with what they care about — everything local!

The Lakes Weekly delivers stories and news that connects with local so they come away each week better connected to their community. Advertising sits within this curated content environment, and it’s a trusted relationship between readers and the Lakes Weekly. Advertisers benefit from the association with the LWB brand values.

The Lakes Weekly is hand delivered to every business in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Frankton, Five Mile Remarkables Park and Glenda Drive on Tuesday. Copies are available in service stations, libraries and drop boxes throughout the region and every supermarket throughout the Queenstown basin and Wanaka.

Online the issue is available Monday afternoon, on lwb.co.nz and the Qtn App.

3,500

Printed copies
each week

13,250

Estimated weekly
readership
Read the
Latest issue