Civil Defence

Cleaning up the flood silt is like scooping up sludgy stinky cow pats, one Gisborne resident says after Cyclone Gabrielle, as he reflects on regrowing his garden.

As floodwaters recede, the clean up of homes and communities covered with silt, mud and sewage during Cyclone Gabrielle continues.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins responded to reports of crime in flood-ravaged areas and people setting up community checkpoints to deal with incidents.

A Tolaga Bay leader says they need basic supplies like cleaning equipment, skips and a dump that is open so people can start clearing sludge from their homes. Audio

Hawke's Bay farmers have been left with slips, rocks and slash across their land, trees in orchards were ripped out and properties covered in silt as the cyclone ripped through.

Mud, silt and sewage have been left behind in Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato homes after a deluge of rain brought flooding and slips to many parts of the North Island.

People helping to remove silt from communities hit by Cyclone Gabrielle are being warned it is a health risk and they should wear masks.

Families cut off for days in the hardest hit part of Wairarapa after Cyclone Gabrielle have been flown out by chopper.

A resident says people were calling for help from their rooftops as floodwaters ripped through the area. Audio

Civil Defence has spelled out which Gisborne businesses can open under water restrictions and what rules they must follow.

In Auckland, many people still cannot return to their homes in Muriwai and Piha, almost a week after Cyclone Gabrielle hit, and water supplies are patchy in some places.

Media Watch - Cyclone Gabrielle buried homes and took lives this week. But as it bore down on the country, Newstalk ZB hosts played down the danger and complained about a day of school closures. Audio

Our media were in emergency mode yet again this week, offering hours of extra coverage on air, online and in print. Outlets in the hardest-hit places reported the basics - even without access to…

RNZ reporter Kate Green joined a Civil Defence fly-over in Tairāwhiti as the crew surveyed the extent of cyclone damage and unchecked zones.

A resident in the small settlement of Waiohiki just inland from Napier says the only reason they're alive is because a dog warned them of the impending flood.

The cost of annual produce is set to increase following cyclone Gabrielle, agricultural minister says.

There was cheering and clapping in the streets of Napier as power came on in parts of the city yesterday, the mayor says. Audio