It seems there is little reprieve on the weather front for the North Island, with rain and high winds set to move southwards.
The South Waikato region took a particular beating from thunderstorms overnight, with roads, homes and infrastructure damaged.
Pictures and stories coming out of Ōtorohanga tell of the extent of the flooding and hasty evacuations, after a deluge overnight caused waters to rise rapidly in the Waikato district.
The Ōtorohanga district was put into a State of Emergency in the early hours of Saturday. Houses and buildings have been surrounded by floodwaters and cars have been submerged. About 80 people were evacuated from a camping site, marae and at least two houses overnight.
Ōtorohanga mayor Rodney Dow has spoken of his sadness after a man was found dead in a submerged car at Puketotara on State Highway 39, and urged those affected to be careful and to stay safe.
Flooding has closed State Highway Three between Te Awamutu and Otorohanga, State Highway 39 - Pirongia to Otorohanga, and State Highway 31 - Kawhia to Tihiroa.
Flooding in Ōtorohanga, captured by drone from the air, on Saturday. Photo: RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
In other areas, Tairawhiti escaped some of the worst rain overnight but State Highway Two, the Waioweka Gorge between the Gisborne and Opotiki - and State Highway 35 between Taurangakoau Bridge and Te Araroa remain closed because of previous slips and flooding.
Phillips Avenue, Ōtorohanga. Photo: RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
MetService says widespread rain continues in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne.
"A significant low deepens east of the North Island on Sunday bringing heavy rain and severe gales to the east and south of the North Island, northeast South Island and Chatham Islands. Large waves and dangerous sea conditions are also expected."
An orange heavy rain warning is in place for parts of Gisborne, Hawke's bay and Inland Whanganui until Monday morning.
Parts of Wellington and Gisborne are also under an orange strong wind warning until Monday and a heavy rain watch is in place for Eastern hills and ranges of Marlborough and Canterbury.
The Transport Agency is warning windy and wet weather is on the way for the lower North Island.
It says with bad weather is due to strike on Sunday, with severe gale south to southwestlies reaching 120 kilometres an hour in exposed places from tomorrow night.
People in the area have been warned to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Forecasters are calling for people to stay up to date on weather updates, as more wild weather has stamped orange and red weather warnings across much of the North Island, and some of the South Island, with heavy rain and strong wind warnings and watches for many places for Saturday and Sunday.
David and Joy Wickham were evacuated from a campervan camping site after water from the nearby river began to rise. They returned to find it underwater today. Photo: Supplied/ Joy Wickham
Follow how the events of Saturday unfolded:
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