Police found the bodies of two climbers, who were Christchurch-based and worked for the same company, just after midnight. But due to the conditions overnight the bodies could not be recovered. Officers and Alpine Cliff Rescue staff then spent much of Wednesday on the mountain attempting a recovery, and conducting a scene examination, but were unsuccessful and all off the maunga by 5pm. Stuff understands both men were from Christchurch and worked for environmental and engineering consultancy company Tonkin and Taylor. It is understood the two men were in Taranaki for work, but the climb was not work-related. SIMON O'CONNOR/STUFF