Two New Zealand hikers stranded for days in a remote ravine on the Solomon Islands’ highest peak have been winched to safety after torrential rain, flooding, and landslides cut off their escape route, according to official confirmations and family reports.
Helicopter Rescue on Mt Popamanaseu
Keanu Isaksson, 25, and Luca Zylstra-Law, 19, both hailing from Matakana north of Auckland, became trapped during an expedition on Mt Popamanaseu, which stands at 2,335 meters. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the pair were rescued by helicopter. In a post to Facebook cited by 1News, Isaksson’s mother Deni Holl confirmed the breakthrough: “New pilot today… boys have felled a tree from previous gear drop and chopper was able to net them out. Hallelujah!” MFAT stated that the hikers are now with staff from the New Zealand High Commission in Honiara and will continue to receive consular assistance alongside their families.
International Coordination and Family Anxiety
Prior to the successful airlift, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed it was assisting the Solomon Islands government in the rescue efforts on Guadalcanal. The families had endured a tense wait amid worsening weather, rockfall risks, and intermittent communication. Speaking on Breakfast before news of the rescue broke, Holl noted that the men were in good spirits despite tough conditions, while Tanja Zylstra, mother of Zylstra-Law, stated the pair were focused on staying safe from rising rivers and falling rocks while rationing remaining food supplies. Families had previously expressed frustration after New Zealand police based in the Solomon Islands indicated rescuers lacked the appropriate equipment and helicopter for the initial conditions.
Outlook and Following Steps
With the hikers now safely in the care of the New Zealand High Commission in Honiara, consular staff are expected to manage their repatriation and ongoing support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade could coordinate further travel arrangements for Isaksson and Zylstra-Law to return to New Zealand.
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