Queenstown kidnapping: Pair in custody

Pita William Hapurona Wilson (left) and Joshua James Veint will appear in Invercargill District Court on Tuesday. Photos / NZ Police

Two people wanted in relation to an alleged kidnapping in Queenstown last week were found hiding out in a remote hut, police said.

Joshua Veint, 23, and Lilly Boden, 21, were found by a police team in a remote hut on the shores of Lake Wakatipu yesterday afternoon, as a result of information received from the public.

Around six hours later, police also spotted Pita Wilson, 38, leaving a Frankton Rd address. He was apprehended on the Frankton Queenstown walkway.

The arrests were the culmination of a six day manhunt after 22-year-old Joseph Armstrong went missing last week. He was found on Tuesday at a camping ground in Queenstown, with injuries that needed medical attention.

Police today praised the local community and "solid police work" for helping to solve the investigation.

"Police thank the Queenstown community for their support during this investigation, which, combined with excellent police work by our staff, has led to an outcome that clearly demonstrates that working together we can all have a part to play in keeping our community safe," relieving Otago Rural Area Commander Inspector Olaf Jensen said.

"The police's investigative team, comprising of Otago Rural and Southern District staff, has worked tirelessly over the past week to get a result."

The investigation would now focus on the criminal liability of people who may have assisted those involved to avoid arrest, Mr Jensen said.

"The investigation has also identified activity involving methamphetamine possession and supply which will result in further charges and potentially arrests."

Three people were due to appear in Queenstown District Court this morning on a range of charges relating to the alleged kidnapping.

A 38-year-old man and a 23-year-old man face charges of kidnapping, wounding and supplying methamphetamine.

A 21-year-old woman faces a charge of possession of methamphetamine and will appear in the Queenstown District Court on Monday, while a 22-year-old woman is due to appear in the same court on Monday charged with being an accessory after the fact of wounding.

Two other men also appeared in court in Invercargill earlier in the week on charges related to the incident.