Weather keeps Northland emergency services busy

Water crossed some Northland roads but vehicles were still able to cross. Photo / Supplied

A rock fisherman was rescued from a Whangārei headland using specialist cliff rescue equipment in conditions rescuers described as "absolutely extreme".

Head of the Northland Search and Rescue team Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe said a 39-year-old Auckland man was rescued from Busby Head, Whangārei Harbour, about 4.15pm on Saturday.

LandSAR's cliff rescue team and Police Search and Rescue were able to use GPS co-ordinates from the man's phone to position themselves on the clifftop above.

Rescuers abseiled down and found the man cold, wet and mildly hypothermic. He was lifted up to the clifftop and taken to hospital.

Metcalfe said it was another example of "people not paying attention to the weather forecast and putting themselves at risk".

The incident was one of several weather-related callouts across the Northland region over the weekend.

Metcalfe said there were three minor car crashes between Whangārei and the top of the Brynderwyns on Saturday afternoon because of the weather.

Later, rising flood waters trapped three women in a car on Lake Ohia Rd at 6.45pm. A fire crew helped the trio to safety and the road was temporarily closed.

Metcalfe said there were no road closures on main roads or highways, but flood warning signs were put out at Kaeo and other flooding hotspots.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Colin Underdown said it had received a few callouts from across Northland when flooding threatened properties yesterday morning.

Meanwhile a car travelling east on State Highway 12 near Taheke crashed into a power pole at 3.30am yesterday, bringing the lines down.

Top Energy spokeswoman Philippa White said 235 houses were without power between 4.15am and 9.35am while the power pole was replaced and power restored.

By the time emergency services arrived, there was no one with the vehicle. Metcalfe said police are investigating.

According to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, or Niwa, Kerikeri recorded 54 per cent of its normal rainfall for the entire month of June on Saturday, with 95.8mm falling by 6pm.

During the same period Kaikohe had 78.8mm, Kaitaia 55.6mm, Waitangi 49.8mm, Aupouri Peninsula 46.8mm, Whangārei 22.4mm and Dargaville 13.6mm.

Periods of rain, with heavy falls and possible squally thunderstorms until evening are forecast for Northland today with northeasterlies, tending northwest overnight.