Five people, including a family of four with young children, have been injured while sitting under a tree that fell at the Shotover Jet base at Jack's Point in Queenstown this afternoon.
Reports of the injuries at the Arthurs Point Road location came in at about 1pm, police said in a statement.
Strong winds in the area are being blamed for the tree having toppled.
St John Southern Communications manager Gerard Campbell said two people were in critical condition, with another in serious condition.
Two other people suffered moderate and minor injuries, authorities said.
Four of the patients were transported to Lakes District Hospital, while one of the patients who suffered critical injuries was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.
In a statement, Ngai Tahu Tourism said the tree fell on the bank of the Shotover River.
"All [five injured] are believed to be conscious and coherent," the agency said. "The wellbeing of individuals is paramount and our focus is on supporting them, their whānau and our team."
Shotover Jet said it will remain closed for the rest of the day.
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