Police are now at the remote area near Reefton where a light helicopter crashed yesterday, killing one person.
The Robinson R-22 helicopter went down in a remote hilly area about 10km north of the West Coast town.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash last night.
The Rescue Coordination Centre responded about 6pm and police were alerted an hour later.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is sending two investigators to the scene and has launched a formal inquiry.
The helicopter crashed near Reefton, on the South Island's West Coast. Photo: Google Maps
Police said the person who died was the pilot.
Formal identification was still to be completed, and next of kin were being notified.