Wellington - Two men died when a microlight aircraft crashed on Sunday during an early morning joyride near Wairoa, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island,
police said.

The men, who were in their 30s, took off about 3:15 am, and a friend raised the alarm when they failed to return about an hour later. Searchers found the crashed plane near
the airfield.

Both men were experienced microlight pilots but were believed to have been drinking and weather conditions were poor, Radio New Zealand said. (dpa)