Two men have been rebuked by police after trying to ride out the storm floating down the flooded Tutaekuri River near Napier – on an inflatable mattress, in darkness.
Police who intervened about 7.30pm on Thursday said the adventurers planned to float down the swollen river from Taradale to meet friends near Clive.
Police intercepted the "lilo" near the Brookfields Bridge, between Meeanee and Pakowhai and the men were retrieved from the water.
Senior Sergeant Kevin Stewart said: "Their actions were both reckless and stupid. Not only did they risk their own lives, they risked the lives of emergency services who were called to the river.
"Knowing what the weather conditions have been like here on the East Coast, I'm at a loss as to understand why someone would do this.