Lake Ōhau residents have been allowed in to see what's left of their village, after fires ripped through over the weekend.
A bus convoy left shortly after midday from the make-shift welfare centre in Twizel. It's the first time they've been able to assess the charred remains of their slice of paradise, in the Mackenzie Basin.
Meanwhile 11 helicopters and eight ground crews have been fighting the fire, battling against strong, gusty winds and warm temperatures.
Tess Brunton is in Twizel, and filed this report.
