An investigation into the avalanche that killed two people in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is underway.
Emergency services were called to the Mount Hicks peak around 6am yesterday.
Jo Morgan, the wife of millionaire The Opportunities Party Founder Gareth Morgan, survived after setting off her emergency beacon and digging her way out of the snow.
Jo Morgan, the wife of Gareth Morgan, survived the fatal avalanche this morning.
The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association says avalanche forecasting in not an exact science, and they're trying to get to the bottom of what started this one.
Meanwhile, police say Ms Morgan's life was saved by her emergency beacon.
"I can't stress the importance of personal locator beacons," said area commander Inspector Dave Gaskin.
A shaken up and traumatised Jo Morgan braves media after Mt Hicks avalanche kills two of her "dear friends".
"The upper ice shelf is extremely isolated. It's a wilderness area," he added. "Helicopters do not fly in there unless it's an emergency situation, so had there not been the beacon they would not have been found as quickly as they were."
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