The two people killed in a helicopter crash in the Paekākāriki Hill area near Wellington last week have been named by police.

Cole Christopher Ritchie, 25, from Wharepapa South, and Joseph Mark Keeley, 54, from Tauhara were killed after their aircraft went down about 7.30am on Wednesday.

The pair were confirmed to be pest contractors working on Transmission Gulley, NZTA said.

Kāpiti Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins said the response was a highly co-ordinated, multi-agency effort, with emergency services, aviation authorities, local iwi and regional partners.

“The response demonstrated the strength of our interagency partnerships and the shared commitment to supporting one another and the community in difficult circumstances.”

Rescue choppers searched in the Paekākāriki Hill area for the downed craft. Image / Flight Radar

MP for Ōtaki and ex-Air Force helicopter pilot Tim Costley earlier told the Herald he was “really sad” to hear about the “tragic” crash.

“I know that first responders, including two rescue helicopters, did everything they could to try and save lives and fight for a better outcome.”

He said this outcome would be “gutting for them” as well as people from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre, CAA and the Greater Wellington Regional Council involved.

Costley said members of the public should respect the cordons in place at Battle Hill campground and people who work in the area.

“Let’s keep the families first and foremost in our thoughts at this really sad time.”

His experience as a pilot meant that once he found out about the crash, it sent his mind wandering.

“You look out at the window at what the weather conditions are and then you think, ‘Well, what could have caused this?’”