Eight people had to be led out from the Silver Peaks area, near Dunedin, after becoming lost in freezing conditions.
Dunedin police received a call from the group asking for help about 9pm on Friday, and sent in by helicopter about a dozen search and rescue workers, who led the party out.
Senior Sergeant Brian Benn says the trampers were in an exposed area, at high altitude and had become disoriented in snowy weather. They were anxious about hypothermia as there was a high level of wind chill.
Senior Sergeant Benn said it was a "great decision" on their part to realise their predicament and call for help.
Silver Peaks is a popular tramping area known for its ferocious weather.
