Lake Hāwea plane crash

The story so far

Maritime New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre was alerted to the aircraft being in trouble around 1pm, and search efforts were launched in the area north of Wānaka.^{29 Mar 2025} One of the two people on board died at the scene, a businessman and former jeweller, while the other was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in critical condition.^{30, 31 Mar 2025} Police are investigating the crash for the coroner and the Civil Aviation Authority.^{30 Mar 2025}

Latest

The man who died has been reported as a former jeweller and businessman, and his passenger remained in critical condition in hospital.^{31 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 29 Mar 2025Emergency services respond to a light plane in trouble; search underway north of Wānaka.
2. 30 Mar 2025One occupant dies at the scene; the second is airlifted to Dunedin Hospital, critical.
3. 31 Mar 2025The dead man is identified as a businessman and former jeweller; passenger still critical.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.