East Coast

The Gisborne mayor says prosecutions are possible if debris found on beaches following the recent flooding can be traced to a breach of a resource consent.

Gisborne District Council will be without rural ward councillors at its next election following a Local Government Commission hearing, missing out on its preferred option.

The road, which was extensively damaged by last month's storm, has reopened, but Waka Kotahi warns disruptions to traffic will be ongoing as repairs continue.

When Lillian Te Hau-Ward went for a drive to inspect the damage of her small East Coast community after recent flooding, she cried and said she did not want to go back.

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon reflects on two and a half years in the role, and the job he'd like next.

MetService said Gisborne had one of its five wettest Marches in almost 90 years, and Te Puia Springs had its wettest month of any month in five years.

A new report showing Gisborne leads the way in rental cost increases is no surprise to local housing advocates who have described an unworkable situation in Tairāwhiti.

A heavy rain watch remains in place for the North Island's East Coast as the sodden district recovers from last week's flooding.

In a statement on social media, Tairāwhiti Civil Defence said it was saddened to hear reports of abuse towards roading contractors repairing damaged roads in Tairāwhiti after severe flooding. Audio

Tokomaru Bay locals are demanding action from the government after their community was cut in two by last week's severe flooding.

Civil Defence is today delivering vital supplies to Gisborne residents cut off by the week's severe flooding, while contractors work to clear slips and landslides in the Tairāwhiti region.

Trucks carrying logs and stock are adding five hours to their journey while a vital coast link is cut off due to flooding in the Tairāwhiti region.

Police have launched a homicide investigation after the death of a woman on a Gisborne street.

The East Coast of the North Island is assessing the damage left by severe weather overnight with even more downpours yet to come. Audio

With rain still falling in the Gisborne area after severe flooding, roading contractors are trying to repair routes to areas where residents are cut off, and detours round closed highway. Audio

Part of the highway round the East Coast is reopening temporarily, as many roads in Tairāwhiti remain impassable after two days of torrential rain.

MetService says the rain has the potential to be an "extreme event" and people are urged to keep up to date with advice in case the warnings are escalated.

Gisborne District Council is one step closer to introducing Māori wards at the next election, provided it gets its way with the Local Government Commission.

The region, which includes Gisborne and the East Cape, has the highest per capita rate of Covid-19 in the country.

Gisborne District Council is one step closer to its goal of reaching carbon neutrality, adopting a 2030 net-zero target at a Thursday meeting.