The party of two men and six women went into the exposed area, which lies west of Waitati and north of Whare Flat, knowing snow was forecast to 300m last night, Senior Sergeant Mel Aitken, of Dunedin, said.
"I don't know how experienced they were or exactly what their purpose was for being up there.
"But with the weather that was predicted and well publicised all week, you would have to question their judgement - or lack of it.
"It puts other staff at risk trying to rescue them."
The trampers, who were expecting to reach Jubilee hut at 5.30pm, raised the alarm themselves by cellphone about 8pm, telling police they had missed the trail and had climbed to the top of a ridge to try to work out their location but were unable to orientate themselves.
They had warm clothing, sleeping bags, torches and head lamps with them but no tents.
A helicopter dispatched to search for them about 9pm was unable to find them because of low cloud on the ridges.
A seven-strong police land search and rescue team was flown in about 10.30pm and located them.
The team planned to spend the night with the trampers and walk them out this morning, Snr Sgt Aitken said last night.
One of the women had minor leg injuries.
The ages of the trampers or where they were from was not known.
