Connor McKenzie’s parents taught at and ran international schools all over the world, with his sister Abby, on five continents; first Christchurch, then to Canada, Kuwait, then Serbia, Burkina Faso, Fukuoka and on to Melbourne.
He received a scholarship to university but decided to follow his passions.
He had just finished his carpentry apprenticeship in Melbourne and was doing up a van with the dream of working from town to town as he travelled Australia.
Another love was climbing.
At a young age, he had developed a passion for going where most wouldn’t, to see things that most hadn’t.
After completing various climbing courses, he taught other climbers rope safety and improved his skills during challenging climbs.
“Although it’s devastating for all Connor’s family and friends, there is some solace in that he lived life to its fullest and died doing something he loved,” his family said in a statement.
“The family would like to thank the New Zealand police, especially their family liaison officer, who provided the family with a level of support both thoughtful and thorough.
“The family would also like to thank the brave police search and rescue, Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue team, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand, Heliworks and Southern Lakes Helicopters for what had been an extremely difficult recovery.”
Meanwhile, two other climbers missing on Aoraki Mount Cook are believed to be dead after search teams found evidence they had been caught in “a large ice avalanche”.
The pair had set off from the Tasman Valley carpark for Plateau Hut on Friday, December 12.
They left the hut on the evening of Saturday, December 13, with the intention of summiting Aoraki/Mt Cook via the Linda Glacier route.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) was made aware on Monday morning that the pair had not returned to Plateau Hut.
The search and rescue effort spanned three days.