Hawke's Bay

Residents say it's like a bomb has gone off in the area with cars upside down, roads washed away and debris thrown everywhere after Cyclone Gabrielle ripped through the region.

Days after their properties were inundated with rapidly rising floodwater, residents are returning to devastating scenes.

The number of deaths linked to the winds, landslips and floodwaters caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has risen to eight, with another death near Napier. See how the day unfolded with RNZ's live blog.

Civil Defence, NZDF and countless community organisations are doing what they can to help. See how the clean-up is going with RNZ's photo gallery.

Residents in the small settlement of Omahu spent the day throwing their flood stricken belongings on the street, and dealing with the exposed graves and bones that have been found in the debris.

Another person is believed to have died after being caught in flood water, bringing the death toll from Cyclone Gabrielle to seven.

Rural Support Trust has fears for people still unaccounted for in flood-affected rural Hawke's Bay communities, where communication and access is still a major challenge.

In Napier the prospect of the power being off for several more days is starting to settle in - with many heading south to Hastings where power is back on. Audio

Heartbreaking stories of people who have lost everything are emerging as the devastation Cyclone Gabrielle brought upon Hawke's Bay becomes clearer.

Growers are pleading with the government for a recovery package after Cyclone Gabrielle turned vast swathes of fertile land into pulp.

"Come on girls, come here," Kylie McIntyre urgently calls. In the foreground a herd of cows fights against the current, focused on her voice.

Napier residents are angry at how long it has taken to restore power, internet and cellphone reception.

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence says its priority for Thursday is establishing contact with communities that have been isolated since Cyclone Gabrielle hit the region. Audio

A lines company says power may be out to some of Napier for two weeks but not for most people. Audio

Helicopter crews in Hawke's Bay are flying generators that will be used to reboot cellphone towers into remote locations.

A woman is still missing in Hawke's Bay after the Eskdale property she was housesitting was suddenly inundated with floodwaters early on Tuesday morning. Audio

Helicopters are being brought in from as far away as Otago to assist in the rescues of people stranded by Cyclone Gabrielle.

There is widespread damage to farms across the North Island with those in parts of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay particularly hard hit and forestry slash is once again being blamed for some flooding.

Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says he would not be surprised if the death toll in Hawke's Bay rises in the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Gabrielle.