At least three people were reported killed in one of the worst storms to hit the North Island of New Zealand in years. The body of James Moore, a 33-year-old rafting guide, was recovered Sunday, The New Zealand Herald reported.

By BOLAND, Mary Jane THE AUCKLAND schoolteacher who nearly died when Mt Ruapehu erupted in September will head home in the next few days, nine weeks after being admitted to hospital.

Fire service and ambulance staff help winch a man to safety after a vehicle carrying eight people plunged down a bank near Mt Ruapehu yesterday. All the occupants -- three adults and five children -- were taken to hospital, at least one with serious injuries.

By TAYLOR, Geoff ** Last week, I mentioned a heritage tour of England including visits to castles and historic homes. Calder & Lawson Tours are offering another month-long tour in June and July next year -- this time to France.

By BURGESS, Dave IT TOOK only two days for Mt Ruapehu's massive lahar to pollute beaches along the Kapiti Coast. An estimated 1.3 million cubic metres of water and volcanic mud burst from the mountain's crater lake on March 18, flooding the Whangaehu River before rushing out to sea near Wanganui.