Gisborne has been pummelled in the cyclone and remains largely cut off tonight with residents being warned it could be days or weeks before power is fully restored.
The region, which was also shaken by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake last night, has suffered extensive flooding and cellphone coverage has also been hampered.
Evacuation centres have been set up across the East Cape.
Our reporter Jimmy Ellingham and camera operator Sam Rillstone are in Ōpōtiki.
