Thread: Search And Rescue

Condolences to the families

"Tararua Forest Park trampers - name release"

The Police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of two trampers in Tararua Forest Park over the weekend continues.

Police are investigating on behalf of the Coroner.

Post-mortem examinations were carried out today and the findings will be passed to the Coroner.

The names of the two men can now be released: Mykhalo Stepura (also known as Michael Stepura), 39, from Lower Hutt; and Pavel Pazniak, 32, from Auckland.

Both men were foreign nationals but had been resident in New Zealand for some time.

Mr Stepura was originally from the Ukraine, and Mr Pazniak was originally from Belarus.


The families of the two men understand the media interest in this matter, but have requested privacy as they grieve the loss of Mr Stepura and Mr Pazniak.

The families have therefore requested that media do not attempt to contact them.


Police extend their sympathies to the families at this difficult time.

No further information is available at this stage.