Cyclone Gabrielle is moving out to sea but not before belting parts of the North Island causing damage ‘not seen in a generation’, according to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.
From West Auckland to Wairoa, communities have been cut off, power has been down and even homes have been swallowed by rising floodwaters or destroyed in landslips.
These are some of the strongest images taken around the country.
The Waiohiki bridge on the Tutaekuri River in Napier is washed away and houses flooded. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images.
A man wades through water outside a hardware shop in Napier. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images.
The Waiohiki Bridge in Napier is destroyed by flood waters and forestry slash. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Gettty Images.
A house sits destroyed at the bottom of a large landslide on Domain Crescent in Muriwai, Auckland. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images.
Two huge trees surrender to Cyclone Gabrielle near Warkworth, Auckland. Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images.
Residents build a small fire to make coffee in Taradale, Napier. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images.
Auckland resident speaks on their phone as they look out the window at the floodwaters surrounding their property in Huapai in Auckland. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images.
Forest debris piles up against Redcliffe Bridge along the Tutaekuri River in Napier. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images.
Houses in Waiohiki severely flooded in Napier. Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images.
Aerial view of flooding near Napier after the worst of Cyclone Gabrielle has hit. Photo: Mark Law.
Flooding in Hawke's Bay. Photo: NZDF
Child rescued from severe flooding in Hawke's Bay. Photo: RNZAF
Flooding in Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. Photo: Civil Defence
Flooding in Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. Photo: Civil Defence
People on a roof surrounded by severe flooding in Hawke's Bay. Photo: RNZAF
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