East Coast

Gisborne ratepayers have avoided a high rates increase this year with a rise of only 6.5 percent, compared to neighbouring cities.

A Gisborne medical centre has been forced to close after torrential rain forced raw sewage back up its pipes into toilets and sinks.

New Zealand Rugby's Māori rugby programme manager and former Marae reporter Cushla Tangaere-Manuel will contest the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti seat for Labour at the upcoming election.

Civil Defence in Tokomaru Bay has expressed concern for around 40 families in surrounding areas who have been cut-off over the weekend due to flooding and slips.

A sickness beneficiary made more than $68,000 in less than a year by illegally harvesting and selling thousands of crayfish from around Māhia Peninsula.

Two homes in the Gisborne region have had to be evacuated this morning because land movement is causing them to shift. Audio

The emergency in Tai Rāwhiti is over, but saturated grounds and damage to roading and infrastructure following torrential rain remains. Audio

State Highway 2 north of Gisborne will remain closed until at least Friday as further movement at Mātāwai and Ormond has made it unsafe for road users and unsuitable for heavy vehicles. Audio

Civil Defence controller Ben Green said the "sodden and exhausted community" was well-prepared for the latest heavy rain.

Parts of Tai Rāwhiti region have had significant flooding, with warnings the saturated land could be vulnerable to landslides.

Emergency Management in Tai Rāwhiti/Gisborne says flooding is affecting travel on State Highway 35 between Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay.

Alfred Edwards was trying to free a jammed carton in a blast freezer at Affco's Wairoa plant in February 2020, when a frame fell and fatally crushed him.

Heaps of Te Karaka residents have evacuated, Gisborne's mayor says, as the region remains in a state of emergency with Civil Defence warning the weather will worsen this afternoon.

Tai Rāwhiti remains under a state of emergency tonight as heavy rain lashes the East Coast yet again, with more on the way on Friday.

The weather forecast for Tai Rāwhiti / Gisborne has been upgraded to the highest heavy rain warning level with residents in the Gisborne town of Te Karaka asked to evacuate their homes as the Waipaoa… Audio

MetService has severe rain warnings for Tai Rāwhiti and warnings in place for other eastern parts of the motu.

State Highway 35 has been closed north of Gisborne between Okitu and Ruatoria following surface flooding and a heavy rain warning is in place.

Gisborne property owners affected by Cyclone Gabrielle still have more questions than answers about payouts and mitigation.

The establishing of a controversial new barge facility in a small East Coast town has received a setback after failing to obtain a special government consent referral.

Authorities are asking people in Gisborne to avoid travelling if they can, as wet weather continues in the region. Audio