Three climbers rescued from Aoraki-Mt Cook

The trio were not the same as those who went missing last month. Photo / NZPA

Three German hikers have been rescued from Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park this morning after spending a night lost in mild conditions.

The trio called 111 at around 10pm last night after becoming lost on the Ball Pass Crossing - a demanding two to three-day alpine route, crossing the Mount Cook Range between the Hooker and Tasman Valleys.

Tekapo Senior Constable Brent Swanson said an immediate rescue was not required as weather conditions were mild overnight and the three men, in their twenties, were "not in any immediate danger" when they called emergency services.

The three climbers are not connected to the three who went missing late last year and have never been found.

Canterbury Police search and rescue led the operation to rescue the hikers.

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At 8am today, three Department of Conservation (DoC) Alpine Rescue Team members were taken to the scene by a Helicopter Lines chopper.

The hikers were short-roped to a location nearby where they could be hover-loaded into the helicopter.

The helicopter returned to the Aoraki Mt Cook Emergency Centre at approximately 9.30am.

"The hikers were uninjured but were very grateful for the help they received from police, DoC and Helicopter Lines," a police statement said.

"The three men did the right thing by stopping when they realised they were bluffed and calling for help.

"They were well prepared for their hike and had left details of their trip in the intentions book. "

The men are understood to be looking forward to continuing their holiday adventures in New Zealand and are now heading south to Fiordland where they said they will be hiring a personal locator beacon before their next hike.