A man who was in a critical condition after a helicopter crash near Waiouru yesterday has died.
In a statement issued by the Hawke's Bay DHB, the family say the 40-year-old father and husband was hugely loved.
Two other men, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s, remain in a serious but stable condition.
The five men were carrying out a commercial survey operation yesterday before going down in the Kaweka Ranges 35km northeast of Waiouru.
Air accident investigators arrived at the crash scene this morning to analyse the wreckage.