A tourist from Germany died while hiking in Tongariro National Park yesterday.
The 51-year-old man was making the descent down Mt Ngauruhoe with his wife when he collapsed about 1.45pm, police said.
A nearby climber heard his wife's cries for help and came to the man's aid, performing CPR and calling emergency services.
The The Greenlea Taupo Rescue helicopter was sent out with a Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation, but low cloud, strong wind and rain meant rescuers could only reach the base of Mt Ngauruhoe.
Land Search and Rescue volunteers from the Central North Island were forced to reach the scene on foot to recover the man's body.
