Families rescued after snow ordeal

Two families trapped by snow in Kahurangi National Park nearly 24 hours after their vehicles struck trouble have been rescued.

The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter flew into the remote South Island wilderness this morning to pick up the stranded party before the weather worsened and flying became impossible.

Pilot Tim Douglas-Clifford said the families were in good spirits after they were caught out by the weather on a weekend camping trip.

He said the group had driven into the area in four-wheel-drive vehicles on Friday but found themselves waking to heavy snowy and couldn't get out.

The four pre-schoolers and two adults had to spend the night in a hut after they became stranded on Cobb Valley Rd yesterday morning and could not be rescued due to deteriorating conditions.

Search and Rescue were in constant contact with the group. They decided to mount an air rescue as weather conditions looked to deteriorate later today.

Metservice meteorologist Kyle Lee said conditions were harsh overnight but luckily for everyone involved the area was warming up this morning.

The stranded party raised the alarm after a vehicle became stuck in a ditch and a second vehicle could not continue because of heavy snow.

They were able to seek refuge in a nearby hut.