Weather

Auckland residents have been told to stay informed and keep clear of floodwaters, with further heavy rains and thunderstorms forecast to continue into the city's anniversary holiday.

Those with homes teetering on cliff edges are facing an anxious few days to see if more heavy rain will cause further drama for their properties.

Auckland Emergency Management has issued an alert to mobile phones warning that an active line of thunderstorms poses the risk of 'very high intensity, localised downpours'.

A fourth person has been found dead as a result of Auckland's catastrophic floods on Friday.

It wasn't until seven hours after floods had forced people out of their homes and hundreds had called 111 that a state of emergency was announced. How were officials on the back foot?

The wild weather is moving further down the country with Waitomo the second region to declare a state of emergency.

The 183rd Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta is the latest in a string of events to be cancelled due to the "unprecedented" weather.

A home has collapsed in Tauranga and residents have been evacuated after heavy rain hit the Bay of Plenty overnight.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has visited Auckland following the catastrophic floods that affected much of the region, taking at least three lives.

"There was no stopping because we would have had to swim," a man whose bus filled with water as it headed back to town says.

Shocked and exhausted people are continuing to arrive at Auckland evacuation centres as reality sinks in.

The message to Aucklanders is to "stay home, stay safe", and be prepared to evacuate if you're in a flooded zone.

Monday's Laneway Festival in Auckland has been cancelled, joining a long list of events hit by record rainfall.

Auckland Airport's domestic terminal is now open for arrivals and departures, but international flights will not be able to resume until Sunday.

A state of emergency was declared to deal with the unprecedented flooding in Auckland. But what is a state of emergency and what powers does it grant?

The Minister for Emergency Management has asked for communication support to be stepped up and Auckland mayor defends his own response to the emergency. Audio

Mayor Wayne Brown has shut down criticism that he was too slow in declaring a state of emergency after severe flooding in Auckland.

Auckland Emergency Management says staff are out assessing flooding with reports of people being rescued from their roofs and MetService has issued its highest level heavy rain warning for the city.

Auckland Airport, businesses and homes have been flooded, cars submerged and Sir Elton John's concert was abandoned - it's been a dramatic day across Auckland.