Connor McKenzie\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
He received a scholarship to university but decided to follow his passions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Another love was climbing.<\/p>\n
At a young age, he had developed a passion for going where most wouldn\u2019t, to see things that most hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
After completing various climbing courses, he taught other climbers rope safety and improved his skills during challenging climbs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough it\u2019s devastating for all Connor\u2019s family and friends, there is some solace in that he lived life to its fullest and died doing something he loved<\/a>,\u201d his family said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n