Auckland, Feb 15 NZPA - A memorial wall to commemorate the victims of the Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy will open at an Auckland Christian college in April, two years to the day after the tragedy.

Six students and a teacher from the Elim Christian College in Auckland died on April 15, 2008, when they were caught in a flash flood during a canyoning trip at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre in the Tongariro National Park.

It was, said the school, a "tragedy which defies belief."

It prompted an outpouring of grief and numerous donations to a fund to remember the six students and their teacher.

A week-long coroner's inquest into the deaths was to open today.

Principal Murray Burton told NZPA a memorial climbing wall at the school would open on the second anniversary of the tragedy.

"It is looking very good and with a little work still to be done I think it will a very fitting, positive, going-forward celebration of all that's good and the parents are certainly looking forward to it."

He said the opening would be a positive way to commemorate the second anniversary.

"This is a really good looking climbing wall for the next generations to use."

Mr Burton said the school had received "amazing donations" from around the world for the wall.

The wall would cost $65,000 and the balance of the $110,000 fund would be used for activities like leadership courses and scholarships.

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