Mr Purvis, 20, had intended to climb Mt Huxley on or about December 30, descending the Huxley River South branch. New Zealand Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said there was still every chance Mr Purvis could be rescued. Mr Hall said Mr Purvis was known to be a keen outdoorsman and a expert climber. A view from a plane involved in the search for Mr Purvis in the Mt Huxley region this week. Specialist search teams working included Wānaka Canyon and Drone teams, the Dunedin Cliff rescue team and several Land Search and Rescue teams.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 06, 2026 22:05 UTC