Swiss Family Rescued by NZ Defence Force After Gorge Floods

When Maja Hügli planned a six-week New Zealand vacation to escape Switzerland's freezing winter, she never imagined her family would need a military rescue.

The Swiss mother, her husband, and their two children, ages 9 and 11, were camping at Manganuku campsite in Waioweka Gorge when heavy rain started Thursday night. They noticed something strange the next day: the usually busy road had gone completely quiet.

That's when they realized slips had trapped them in the gorge between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne. The family waited for road crews to clear the debris, but as Friday wore on, nothing changed.

Police arrived by helicopter with unexpected news. The Defence Force would airlift them out within the hour.

"The kids were really upset and scared," Hügli said. "We didn't have any answers." The family packed what they could, leaving most belongings behind in their motorhome.

The eight-minute helicopter ride brought a moment of comfort when the crew shared a chocolate bar with the frightened children. At midnight, they landed in Mātāwai, where police drove them to Gisborne.

The Bright Side

What happened next shows the heart of New Zealand hospitality. A Kiwi family from Gisborne, also rescued from the gorge, invited the stranded tourists to stay in their home for the night.

"We were really lucky," Hügli said. By Tuesday, local authorities had arranged transport for rescued families to retrieve their vehicles from the gorge.

The Hügli family got their motorhome back and made a choice that speaks to their adventurous spirit. They're continuing their trip south as planned, now with an unforgettable story about New Zealand's emergency responders and generous locals.

State Highway 2 through Waioweka Gorge remains closed for weeks while crews clear debris, but one Swiss family will remember New Zealand for more than just its scenery.