Some wreckage and a body believed to be helicopter pilot Matt Wallis has been recovered from Lake Wanaka.
Pilot Matthew Wallis, whose helicopter crashed into Lake Wanaka. Photo: Supplied
The body was retrieved at about 10pm on Monday from Lake Wanaka, near Stevenson's Arm, by the police dive squad and the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Some helicopter wreckage has also been recovered.
Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw said it was the best possible outcome in the circumstances.
"We are glad to be able to bring some degree of closure to Matthew's family at this sad time.
"Police would like to thank the Wallis family, New Zealand Defence Force, LandSAR volunteers, the Wanaka community and the aviation industry for their assistance in this recovery operation."
The death will be referred to the coroner.
'As far as we know, it fell out the sky'
It is still unknown as to how Mr Wallis went missing while on a routine flight near Lake Wanaka.
Coastguard Wanaka Lakes president Jonathan Walmisley said there he had no clue how Mr Wallis had crashed.
"As far as we know, it fell out the sky."
"However, good you are, if there's a failure, there's not much you can do about it.
"Nothing can be decided until they recover the helicopter and examine it."
The Royal New Zealand Navy has joined the search, sending personnel and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
New Zealand Police Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw confirmed the ROV would be used throughout the night to search for Mr Wallis and the helicopter.
The ROV is used to scan the lake bed.
