Search on for students in Mangatapopo Gorge

Police search teams are currently searching the Mangatapopo Gorge for 7 students who were swept away by rising river levels.

The 7 were in a group of 10 people who were tramping in the area when they were caught off-guard shortly after 4pm by the rising water - which had been fuelled by recent rain.

Weather conditions at the time prevented helicopter access to the area, and Police search and rescuse teams from Wanganui and Taupo have converged on the area to conduct the search.

Police are constantly assessing the weather conditions with a view to sending helicopters in at the earliest opportunity.

The Mangatapopo Gorge is near State Highway 47, which runs between Tokaanu and National Park.