The couple, aged 30 and 20, started out from Otaki Forks on the Southern Crossing track across the Tararuas on Tuesday bound for Carterton in the Wairarapa.
Gale-force winds and snow stranded them at Kime Hut - the highest hut on the track.
Sergeant Noel Bigwood of the Western Tararua Search and Rescue says the couple were safe but had run out of food and gas.
Three land search and rescue team members were flown in to the area on Saturday and dropped off two hours from the hut - as close as the helicopter could get in the poor weather conditions.
Sergeant Noel Bigwood said the couple, aged 20 and 30, started the crossing from Otaki Forks to Carterton on Tuesday.
However, gale force winds and snow forced them to hole up in Kime Hut.
"Concern was raised (yesterday) due to fears involving the future weather, the couple running short of gas and food, plus a lack of equipment and skill to evacuate themselves in the conditions," Mr Bigwood said.
Police contacted the couple on their cellphone and a team of three Horowhenua Land SAR volunteers was flown into the area and dropped about two hours' walk from Kime hut this afternoon.
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