I had been in this country only a little over a year. It was announced on the radio that the Auckland -Wellington Express had driven at full speed over a bridge at Tangiwai which had been destroyed by a lahar from the crater lake of Mt Ruapehu. 151 people perished and there were scenes of great bravery by other passengers who survived and also by the the rescue services.

Some Christmas' ruined that day.

Tangiwai translates to “Tears in the water”