A woman remains in an induced coma but is stable at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital this morning, after a freak lawn-mowing accident.

 Nikki Delaney was working on her property in Rarotonga when the mower spontaneously caught fire and exploded.

 She was flown home in an air ambulance with burns to most of her upper body.

 Her brother Jordan says initially she had immense swelling around her neck and face, and her family feared she might not make it.

 Mr Delaney said at first he didn't even recognise his sister but it's been amazing what medical staff have achieved in just 24 hours.

 "Its amazing what the medical staff have done, the change in 24 hours now since she's landed has been amazing."