A bus carrying students and teachers from three Wanganui high schools crashed into a ditch on State Highway 4 near Taumarunui this afternoon, injuring eight.

Fatal accidents, breakdowns and huge traffic backlogs have plagued the first four days of the official Christmas road toll period.

Paul Rush tackles foaming rapids on a six-day journey down the Whanganui River.

Novice canoeist Diana Clement satisfies a long-held ambition to paddle the mighty Whanganui River - and all in one easy weekend.

Alex Binns turns 70 on Wednesday but instead of celebrating, his family are pleading for help to find him.

Next weekend sees the Auckland champs of the little known sport of disc golf. Similar in many ways to traditional golf, the frisbee-based sport is gaining in popularity as a fun way of competing in some of the country's best parks.