The flooding in Bay of Plenty has bee classified as "medium-scale adverse event".

More members of the flood-ravaged town can return to their homes this morning.

Former Finance Minister steps up to chair review as residents plan class action.

More than 300 animals rescued in Edgecumbe, including a boogie-boarding fox terrier.

Residents evacuated from dry homes in the Eastern Bay have voiced their anger.

Hundreds of angry Edgecumbe residents stormed out of a public meeting last night.

Some Eastern Bay of Plenty residents will be given brief access to their homes today.

A small number of Edgecumbe residents can go home today.

A breach in a stopbank of the Rangitaiki River was closed at 11pm last night.

But motel owners are worried where evacuees will go once their Easter bookings arrive

Trustpower's CEO says under their flooding plan nothing could have been done differently.

Rescuers used jet boats to reach stranded Edgecumbe locals in yesterday's flooding

Flooding, evacuations and complete chaos - tropical storm Debbie brought it all to NZ.

Jetboats struggled against the flow of water through Edgecumbe today.

Edgecumbe residents could not believe how fast the water rose amid evacuations.

Mayor Tony Bonne speaks about the unfolding drama. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Red Cross teams are warning residents to keep safe overnight.

Evacuated Edgecumbe residents face the next three days out of their homes.

A boy with cancer can't get to school because of a severe shortage of disability taxis.

Boy actor James Rolleston has pleaded guilty to causing a crash which left him and his friend seriously injured last July.

The skies are beginning to clear after last night's storm, but the respite may be short-lived, with thunderstorms and more heavy rain forecast for later today.

Heavy rain is expected in the region today and tomorrow.

Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne is confident in the success of the region, despite a Maxim Institute report projecting population decline in the next two decades. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell discusses what the industrial service centre needs to do to ensure a prosperous future, after a Maxim Institute report forecast population decline in the area in the next two decades. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Emergency services were alerted to the collision about 4.50pm.

Kawerau District Council staff are working as fast as they can to unblock drains after torrential rain caused flooding of over a metre.

Two women injured when armed robber fires gun during attempted hold up.

Two people have been shot in an attempted armed robbery at a berry farm in Whakatane.

A Whakatane father and his two sons are currently competing in the New Zealand Superbike Championships. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Twelve men have been arrested in relation to a gang clash on the streets of Whakatane, in which shots were fired and people scrambled for cover.