Elim Christian College head girl Jessica Mulder says students are in a state of shock and extremely upset.
She says she knew all the people who were killed, but feels more personally affected because Anthony Mulder, one of the seven victims, was her cousin.
6.09pm:
The instructor involved in yesterday's river tragedy was a grief-stricken but highly qualified and competent instructor, OPC chief executive Grant Davidson said.
He said she was receiving counselling and was being sheltered from the media.
5.15pm:
A friend of Elim Christian College teacher Tony McClean says he was trying to carry a student on his back to safety before he died.
His friend Helen told Newstalk ZB's Danny Watson that Mr McClean would have done everything he could to try to get the students to safety.
She says he was a naturally sporty man, with good experience in water, who had even been to Nepal to help the poor.
3.50pm:
The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre chairman Grant McKenzie and three fellow trustees joined mourners at Elim Christian College this afternoon, where they expressed their condolences to college principal Murray Burton.
"This is an absolute tragedy and our heartfelt sympathy and support goes out to each of the families, fellow school pupils and the wider community," Mr McKenzie, who lives in nearby Pakuranga, said.
"I got in touch with Mr Burton last night and have remained in constant contact since.
"All OPC Hillary staff and trustees are absolutely devastated by what has happened and I passed on their thoughts and expressions of sympathy to him."
Mr McKenzie said the OPC Hillary Centres trust was conducting its own internal investigation and would provide police with all information that will assist them with their enquiries.
The OPC Hillary Centre has closed its operations for the remainder of the week.
3.30pm:
Statement in Parliament by Tariana Turia, co-leader of the Maori Party:
"I stand today, extending my gaze from the mountains to the sea, thinking of those who have lost their lives in the Mangatepopo Gorge and their whanau.
"Our tears flow as we think of the tragedy that has occurred within the Tongariro River, a tragedy which has dealt a savage blow to the families, the Elim Christian College, as well as the staff of the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre and indeed all who were involved in this tragic event.
"No-one in this House can imagine the pain that the parents, the wider families and the school community must be feeling at this time.
"We can but express our deepest condolences for young lives lost.
"The whole process of living, growing and maturing involves taking risks and testing boundaries.
"Each of those young people - and I include in our thoughts their young teacher - connect through to families who had dreams and aspirations that will now not be realised, so tenuous is life.
"The Maori Party has been shocked at the terrible tragedy that took place at the headwaters of the Whanganui River, a tragedy which extinguished so much hope and potential.
"We offer our sincere condolences to those who have been affected."
2:25pm:
A lot of flowers have been brought into the Elim Christian College this afternoon, with one woman bringing in a Kowahi tree.
The students have arrived back from camp and been ushered into the school chapel. Parents have also arrived to pick up their children and some are now leaving.
1.50pm: The Department of Labour says it will be conducting an investigation into the tragedy, alongside the Coroner and Police probes.
"The Department of Labour will generally investigate events when a person is seriously harmed or killed in a place of work.
The person could be an employee, or any other person - including contractors or members of the public - who comes into contact with the place of work."
1:27pm:
The bus carrying 30 to 40 students from the OPC has arrived at Elim Christian College to emotional scenes. The students and parents gather in the school's chapel.
1:16pm:
A memorial service for the students has already been considered.
School Principal Murray Burton said Manukau City mayor Len Brown has offered the Telstra Dome as a venue free of charge.
1:10pm:
The father of river victim Natasha Bray said his daughter was anxious about the bad weather before leaving but determined to make the most of the experience.
Mr Bray said the death of his daughter had tested his faith: "Without doubt we don't have faith."
But he said he didn't blame the OPC for her death.
"They have got a process to go through, we don't have an axe to grind," Mr Bray said.
12:17pm:
Students have written personal messages to the six students and teacher who died yesterday afternoon.
"Your community loves you and is praying for you", reads one message.
A box of crayons and a pile of paper sit on the seat waiting for more students to pay tribute to their class mates.
Bouquets of flowers have also been laid on the small stage at the front of the chapel.
Emotional students are trickling through with their arms around each other as parents and school staff look on.
12:03am:
Education Minister Chris Carter has arrived at Elim Christian College from Wellington this morning to support the grieving school.
"None of us can imagine the pain the parents must be suffering who have lost their children," Mr Carter said.
He couldn't comment on any severe weather warnings.
He said principal Murray Burton had been fantastic.
"It's the worst possible thing that can ever happen to a family and a school. The principal has been incredibly strong."
11:50am:
Former students have begun expressing their shock at last night's tragedy on Facebook. One girl wrote that she was fairly certain her brother was one of a group of students seen huddling outside Elim Christian Centre in a photo published on a news website.
"pretty much burst into tears when i saw that photo. so creepy to be in another country and find your a picture of your brother on the internet taken only hours before, hitting headlines. apparently there was a teacher in there as well??" she wrote.
"iv been pretty shaken up by it," she continued. "It's horrific. the worst is the parents wondering all night what they're gonna wake up to when names are released... i am numb."
"Russell is in mourning," read one status update, while Kevin simply wrote 'in shock'.
On another page, updated at 8am, Anna said: "my thoughts and prayers are with the **** family. You will be so missed ****". (name of deceased blanked out).
11.35am:
Education Minister Chris Carter today described the tragedy as a "shocking event" and said his thoughts were with the families and friends of those who died.
11.30am:
A statement by United Future leader Peter Dunne says: "My colleagues and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the
families of those who have died.
"This tragedy is particularly poignant because these young people and their instructors were doing what Kiwis love best, taking advantage of the challenges presented by New Zealand's special environment."
11.10am:
Manukau mayor Len Brown has said at a press conference that some of the young victims were future leaders and it was a huge loss not only to their families but to the entire community.
He said it was a tragic day but one which had pulled the community together.
"I am the dispenser of tissues today."
He said the school had a strong community spirit but the faith of people had been tested to limit yesterday.
"For anyone who is a believer this is definitely a time when you wonder what God is doing.
"But for those who have that faith that is just part of what life brings and for the families there is nothing you can really say. It is just a look in the eye and a hug and that's it."
Mr Brown said the atmosphere at the school today was one of loving and forgiveness, "obvious grief but amongst that hugely, hugely supportive".
He said people would take a long time to get over the tragedy and would have to work through it slowly but surely.
11.00am:
A full coroner's inquiry has been convened.
New Zealand's chief coroner, Dr Wallace Bain, says the inquiry will look at all aspects of what happened, including the weather conditions and if safety standards were met. He says the actual inquiry could be a lengthy process.
10.30am:
A bus, carrying other students from Elim College, has now left the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Turangi, returning to Auckland.
9.45am:
The MetService says that heavy rain warnings and a severe thunder storm watch were in place yesterday when six students and a teacher were swept to their deaths while on a canyoning trip.
MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said the MetService had said on Sunday that the rainy weather would last all week.
A heavy rain warning for the area was issued on Monday and a severe thunder storm watch was issued from Northland to Taupo at 9am yesterday.
Mr McDavitt said the MetService had forecast 40-50mm of rain an hour and he said levels had been recorded between 30-50mm/hour in surrounding areas.
"There are no observations from the exact area, at the moment."
The heavy rain and storms are not over yet and more flash floods and landslides are likely, he said.
"It's sudden and it can happen (increased rain fall) and your heart has got to go out to their families."
He said the rain may not have occurred where the students were canyoning.
"It may have hit further up and then run down."
- NZPA
9.10am:
An assembly has been held at Elim Christian College today attended by hundreds of students and parents.
As the assembly started there were tearful scenes. Students openly wept and others passed around boxes of tissues.
Principal Murray Burton then read out the names of the deceased students and their teacher to the sound of audible gasps from those in the hall. The names have not yet been released to the public by police.
Mr Burton spoke about the place of God and the Christian faith at a time of tragedy.
He said: "I don't mind if you are angry, but just trust in Him. Let's just work together."
A student who was taken to hospital was in a good condition and there were no fears for him, Mr Burton said.
9.08am:
Newstalk ZB reports that parents of the Year 12 Auckland students involved in the fatal canyoning trip drove through the night to get to their children in the central North Island.
Six students and a teacher from Elim Christian College died when they got caught in flash flooding in the Mangatepopo Gorge yesterday.
Victim support staff have been at the centre all night counselling students and staff.
9.06am:
The Chairman of the Sir Edmund Hillary Trust, Grant McKenzie, says he has spoken to Lady Hillary who is terribly distressed about the tragedy.
Courses at the outdoor centre have been cancelled.
9.05am
Prime Minister Helen Clark has just issued a statement on the tragedy.
She says: "My sincere condolences go to the families of those who lost their lives in the Mangatepopo River, the Elim Christian College school community, and staff from the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
"The loss of six students and one teacher is devastating.
"The Outdoor Pursuits Centre has developed a strong reputation over the years for its work with young people in the demanding environment of New Zealand's rivers and mountains. It has endeavoured to develop the potential of young people through education and adventure, and the loss of life on this course is particularly tragic.
"Government agencies will provide whatever assistance and support they can to the families and school community.
"My thoughts are with the families, the whole school community, and the Outdoor Pursuits Centre at this sad time."
9.04am:
The Government has announced that Education Minister Chris Carter will travel to Elim Christian College, Howick, this morning after the tragedy.
9.00am:
The MetService has issued a further heavy rain warning for regions close to the school river tragedy.
Just moments ago, the Service warned that it had imposed a "Severe Thunderstorm Watch" for areas of Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and areas around Taupo.
"People in all these areas are warned that streams and rivers are likely to rise very quickly, with the risk of flash flooding."
The Service's full heavy rain warning reads like this:
"Bay of Plenty east of Kawerau and Gisborne north of Ruatoria, further periods of heavy, thundery rain can be expected through to about midday Thursday. In the 27 hours from 9am today to midday Thursday, another 150 to 200mm is likely about the ranges, especially east of Opotiki, with 100mm possible in some lower lying areas. Rainfall rates could reach 40mm per hour at times in localised thundery downpours.
Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau and Taupo, scattered heavy showers are expected to turn to widespread rain and heavy, thundery falls late this afternoon. In the 15 hours from 5pm today to 8am Thursday morning, a further 70 to 100mm of rain is possible, especially about the ranges. Rainfall rates could reach 40mm per hour in localised thundery downpours."
8.50am:
A helicopter has retrieved the last two bodies from the banks of Mangatepopo River, after the school canyoning trip turned tragic.
The two bodies could not be recovered overnight as they were is an inaccessible part of Tongariro National Park.
Ten students, aged 16 and 17, were part of a 40-strong group on a course with the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre based in Tongariro.
They were the first river fatalities at the centre for more than three decades, and police said the flood would have been difficult to foresee.
"The instructor was with them and they were just caught at the wrong place at the wrong time," Inspector Steve Mastrovich from Taumarunui police told Radio New Zealand.
8.45am:
Police have revealed that the water flow in the river increased 36-fold in just a few minutes during the flash flood.
The ceo of the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre Grant Davidson told TV3 News the water flow in the gorge rose from 0.5 cubic metres per second (cumecs) at 3pm to 18 cumecs at 3.30pm - "the equivalent to the Tongariro River going down a small stream" - before dropping back to 0.5 cumecs by 6pm.
"When they entered the gorge the water was at very low level and there was no prediction for heavy rain," he said.
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