Reporter Andrew McRae on flooding near Gisborne

Evacuations have taken place in the middle of the night and Tolaga Bay Civil Defence expects some residents to remain cut off for four days or more, as a result of this week's flooding. A helicopter has been up this morning identifying damage to roads and infrastructure.

Almost half a metre of rain has fallen in two days.The Hikuwai River north of Gisborne peaked at higher than 12 metres - coming within a hundred millimetres or so of going over its banks and causing massive damage.

RNZ reporter Andrew Mcrae speaks to Lynn Freeman with the latest.