Two climbers have died on Taranaki Maunga.
Police said they were called to reports a climber had fallen near the summit at about 10pm yesterday.
A search and rescue operation was commenced, with the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter dispatched last night.
The climbers' bodies were found shortly after midnight.
"Due to the weather and light conditions, the bodies could not be recovered at the time. Police and Alpine Cliff Rescue staff are currently on the mountain attempting to recover the bodies and conduct a scene examination," police said in a statement today.
Police are yet to identify the climbers and were unsuccessful in recovering the bodies today.
It is expected the operation will recommence tomorrow morning.
Inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.
A rāhui has been placed on all access routes to the summit for a week by Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, the eight iwi of the region.
It will be reviewed after one week.
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