WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A helicopter that went missing in New Zealand eight years ago carrying a local pilot and a British tourist has been found in a remote part of the country.

Police on Thursday confirmed that a helicopter found in Fiordland was the Hughes 500 that went missing in 2004 carrying 27-year-old pilot Campbell Montgomerie and 28-year-old tourist Hannah Timings. An extensive two-week search at the time didn't turn up any sign of the missing craft.

Police say the wreckage was spotted in rugged terrain at the edge of the original search area on Wednesday by another helicopter pilot. Police on Thursday recovered two bodies and say they plan to formally identify them by using DNA samples.

Police have notified the families and say they hope the discovery brings some closure.