KEY POINTS:
A short break in the weather this morning enabled two rescue teams to be airlifted out of the Rimatuka Forest Park with the body believed to be that of missing tramper Jacek Grzybowksi.
The body has been flown to Wellington Hospital's mortuary where a full formal identification will be made.
Inspector Mike Wright said all search teams are now safely out of the field in what has been a very challenging and demanding operation.
The team that found the body yesterday stayed in the bush overnight despite high winds, heavy rain, snow and hail showers.
"We're delighted that we found Jacek," Inspector Wright said.
"We would have preferred to find him alive but sadly that wasn't to be."
Mr Grzybowksi's family will be met by police, the Polish ambassador and members of the Polish community when they arrive in Wellington later today.
Inspector Wright paid tribute to the dozens of NZ Land Search and Rescue volunteers from the Wellington Region, Levin, Palmerston North and the Wairarapa who helped look for Mr Grzybowksi.
He also expressed his thanks to the Air Force and Westpac and to community groups such as the Hutt Valley Emergency Management Office, the Rural Fire Service and the Salvation Army.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
