The scene where a house collapsed from a landslide in Tauranga’s Egret Avenue.
Photo: Krystal Abey-Leenders
The death toll from this week’s flooding around Auckland has now risen to four, after the body of a man swept away by floodwaters in Onewhero on Friday found today.
Police said while formal identification is yet to be completed, it is believed to be the missing man.
He was found by a drone operator about 1km downstream from where he was last seen.
Meanwhile, the belt of rain which has brought flooding and slips across northern New Zealand is currently mainly centred over the Waikato and Waitomo District.
Authorities in the Coromandel say the peninsula is completely cut off after heavy rain has pummelled the region, causing flooding and slips.
Civil Defence is urging people to stay off the roads and to avoid travelling at all costs.
State Highway 25A, between Kopu and Hikuai is closed due to a significant slip.
The rain is also reaching northern Taranaki and parts of the upper South Island.
Residents in already hard-hit areas like Auckland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty are on watch for thunderstorms and more heavy rain.
MetService now says there could be heavy rain and thunderstorms as far south as the Marlborough Sounds and the Rai Valley as well as Tasman. It has put in place heavy rain warnings for Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Mount Taranaki, Marlborough Sounds and Tasman northwest of Motueka.
Thunderstorm watches are also in place for Manawatu, Tararua and Kapiti-Horowhenua.
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Story Credit: rnz.co.nz