Sunday's burst of heavy rain created problems at two neighbouring addresses in Kaitaia yesterday, water from an old section of the Kaitaia River.
Water got into the garage at one address and a concrete forecourt area next door.
Mike Mitchell, who only moved into the first home a couple of months ago, said the water appeared to have got into his garage via a pipe that was supposed to drain the garage into the river, submerging a lawn mower and a weed eater but only getting halfway up the wheels of a Triumph motorbike.
Mr Mitchell said he hoped that the motorcycle had escaped any significant damage.
The family had only just lodged an insurance claim after being burgled, and would now be lodging another, he said.