25 Mar 2022

Widespread weather damage across East Coast, Hawkes Bay

From Midday Report, 12:08 pm on 25 March 2022

The heavy rain that hit the Tairawhiti region over the past two days has moved south towards Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa.

Rain is still falling across the Gisborne region, but not as intensely.

About 20 local roads are shut in central Hawke's Bay, as well as dozens around Wairoa and north of Tūranganui-a-kiwa Gisborne.

State Highway 35 remains closed between Uawa Tolaga Bay and Potaka due to slips and other hazards, but Gisborne is no longer cut off.

Firefighters and St John ambulance staff remain on standby in Tolaga Bay, in case locals need emergency medical care.

Māni Dunlop checks in with RNZ's reporters - Jake Mckee in Waipukurau, Central Hawkes Bay; and Tom Kitchin in Gisborne, where Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan has been visiting flood affected residents.