The entire Gisborne region is under a state of emergency after torrential rain and flooding hit the East Coast region.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence declared a state of emergency on Wednesday morning.
Heavy rain forced evacuations and trapped people in floodwaters in the Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay areas.
Emergency Management Minister and East Coast MP Kiritapu Allan said 150 people had been evacuated and 750 homes were without power, and the Hikuwai River had risen rapidly to more than 12 metres.
MetService said 308mm of rain had fallen in the region, and more heavy rain was forecast right through till Thursday.
State Highway 35 from Gisborne around East Cape to Ōpōtiki is closed because of flooding, slips and washouts.
