Hundreds of properties have been hit by flooding around Wairoa today, and roads in and out of the town have been blocked.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell arrived in Wairoa earlier this evening, and has met with council and emergency staff.
"First impressions are they have been hit very hard - 400 properties have been impacted and, of course, 100 people out of their houses, which, of course, we can see there's people getting shelter here in the hall… They've been hit very hard, without a doubt," he told RNZ.
"It's obvious that they're going to need support… I've obviously met with the team, I've met with the mayor and made and said that look, I'm here and from a central government point of view, we just want to make sure that we support them and that we're here to get through the response phase."
More than 400 properties in the town appear to have been affected by flooding, Civil Defence said earlier, with more than 100 significantly impacted.
"To get through the next high tide, at around 9pm, and ensuring people are safe and those who are not in their homes are cared for is our focus," Civil Defence controller Juanita Savage said.
The town centre has so far been spared. About 90 percent of the town's power had been restored as of 6.30pm.
States of emergency remain in place in Heretaunga and Wairoa.
Are you in the region? Send your photos and videos to iwitness@rnz.co.nz
RNZ is New Zealand's statutory civil defence lifeline radio broadcaster, providing vital information and updates as they come to hand. All frequencies can be found here.
Frequencies: Gisborne - National AM 1314, National FM 101.3 Napier - National AM 630, National FM 101.5
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) advises that in times of crisis or civil defence emergency a battery powered radio or a car radio remain essential lifelines if power is out and other forms of communication are unavailable.
See how today's weather events unfolded with RNZ's live blog.
