Much of the information authorities are getting on isolated communities is coming from planes and helicopter flights across the Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti.
Mark Harris says knows the anguish cyclones can cause having been a farmer during Cyclone Bola which devastated parts of Tairawhiti 35 years ago.
He now helps out Beef and Lamb NZ as an extension manager for the region and on Thursday hopped in a light aircraft to fly over back country from Central Hawkes Bay to East Cape.
He spoke to Sally Round.
