Dozens of people caught in flash flooding south of Auckland have a local man to thank for their rescue.
Ramarama man Cameron Vernon, owner of Vernon Developments, was on his way to check on his business in Maxted Rd, Ararimu, when he saw a vehicle stuck in rising waters.
Despite the rising sea of muddy water all around him, he grabbed one of his heavy vehicles and head out to help.
"My yard's just down the road here. I was going to check it out when I saw someone stuck, so I whistled back and got my car trailer,'' he told the Herald.