Weather

Out in Pakowhai, one local 'superhero' is doing his best to brighten spirits in a flooded and muddy community.

The low which brought flash floods in the far north is moving south and set to bring heavy rain for Wairarapa and Marlborough.

A Pakowhai truck driver struggling to save three family homes says he has already lost all his belongings and pets to the Cyclone Gabrielle floods and does not want to lose the houses as well.

River levels are dropping in Hawke's Bay and an evacuation order for Esk Valley has been lifted, after the region received less rain than forecast overnight.

Hawke's Bay orchardists working to clear silt from their properties have gone from fighting the dust to fighting the mud, with rain now hampering clean-up efforts.

A Waihi Beach bach owner says the formation of the tornado which ripped roofs off houses and cut power to nearly 2500 properties was one of the most amazing things he's ever seen.

A shearing contractor says he is having to reassess his whole business after Cyclone Gabrielle swept through.

"We are talking years. If we are wanting to build a new highway, that's years."

The latest in a series of weather events is blowing through the North Island, leaving flooded roads and stranded drivers throughout much of Auckland and Northland. Audio

Water restrictions imposed in central Hawke's Bay are easing, but locals are still being careful - some, too careful.

Defence personnel are standing by to help with evacuations if needed in Hawke's Bay as more bad weather slams the already sodden region.