The family of Israeli tourist Liat Okin, who died on Fiordland's Routeburn Track a year ago, have made an emotional journey halfway around the world to mark the anniversary.
Heartbroken parents Miriam and Shalom Tas wanted to walk the track and place a silver memorial plaque tribute engraved in Hebrewand English near the Mackenzie Hut where Ms Okin was last seen.
But in a sharp reminder of the treacherous conditions which can plague the area, police have told the family that the track is wet and dangerous and only accessible by helicopter.
Ms Okin's brother Itamar Tas, 26, who spent months searching for his sister, has returned to Queenstown this week with his parents and they will be joined by Liat's sister Shira Revivo, 33, and her husband Kobi Revivo on Saturday.
"We knew we wanted to come (out here) right from the start; we want all of our family to be together and come," an emotional Mrs Tas told the Southland Times.
The family fundraised tens of thousands of dollars for a private search co-ordinated by Itamar Tas, after the initial two-week police search ended.
"We just had to come to help find closure ... and to thank the very many people who helped us," Mrs Tas said.
A coroner's inquest into Ms Okin's death will be held in Queenstown later this month.
