Deluge hit near-record levels

The depression that moved over eastern parts of the North Island at Labour weekend brought near-record amounts of rain, says the MetService.

The Gisborne area bore the brunt, with Hikuwai, 7km southwest of Tokomaru Bay, recording 350mm of rain in the 36 hours to 10am on Saturday, and Te Puia Springs, 25km south of Ruatoria, recording 340mm, said spokesman Bob McDavitt.

Both these places had peak rain rates of 35mm an hour.

Parts of Hawkes Bay to the north of Napier received more than 100mm and parts of Bay of Plenty and Coromandel recorded up to 70mm, he said.

The exact cost of the flood damage is not yet known, but is likely to run into millions of dollars.

The weather had since improved, assisting clean-up efforts.

"The high-pressure region that arrived over Labour weekend is still bringing long sunny periods to much of New Zealand," Mr McDavitt said.

"It is now helping to dry out the affected farmlands."

But showers that blossomed on Monday afternoon from Northland to the central North Island were likely to continue today.

- NZPA