The Mangatepopo Canyon disaster was a flash flood that occurred on 15 April 2008 in the central North Island of New Zealand.
Students and staff from Elim Christian College were at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre during a gorge trip.
Ten students, one teacher, and one instructor were on the river when the water level began to rise rapidly due to a thunderstorm.
After some time, the instructor, believing that the water level would continue to rise, made the decision to leave the ledge as she feared that the students would be at risk of hypothermia if they stayed there.
[4] The principal of the college, Murray Burton, was awarded a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for the way he led his community through the disaster.