'We just want our son back'

James Robert Murphy. Photo / Facebook

Parents of pair who died on Lake Tekapo still waiting for coroner to release their bodies

The parents of the two overseas students who died when kayaking on Lake Tekapo are still waiting for their sons' bodies to return home.

The two students, Daniel Hollnsteiner, 21, of New York, and James Murphy, 20, of London, died on September 25.

They were part of a Monash University group visiting New Zealand from Melbourne during a break.

Speaking yesterday from New York, Mr Hollnsteiner's mother, Ria David, said she hadn't yet been able to make funeral arrangements to farewell her son, nine days after his death.

"He's not been released yet. We do have a funeral home in New Zealand but he's in hospital. The coroner won't release him yet."

Mr Hollnsteiner's body was to remain in New Zealand while identification procedures were carried out.

The family were in contact with the United States consulate in Auckland, but Ms David said the wait was frustrating.

"We just want our son back," she said. "Family members are already flying in for the week for the funeral and they are coming from the Philippines and California - all over. I'm hoping for next week."

Ms David said she had spoken to Mr Murphy's parents, John and Sue Murphy, and they were also waiting for their son's body to return.

She understood James Murphy's body had been identified but wasn't going to be released until Mr Hollnsteiner's body could be.

Daniel Thomas Hollnsteiner. Photo / Facebook

A spokesman for the coroner's office said identification details for Mr Hollnsteiner were being provided by authorities in the United States, but they were taking slightly longer than usual to arrive.

"Hopefully it's going to be resolved soon," he said.

Nine other Monash students were on the lake at the time. They returned to Australia on Sunday last week.

The group of 11 went to the lake for the day and hired kayaks. Tragedy struck when the group ended up being tipped into the icy water after a gust of wind caused swells.

All of the students were wearing life jackets. Mr Hollnsteiner and Mr Murphy were thought to have died from hypothermia.