Mayor Tony Bonne speaks to Local Focus about the unfolding drama. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Some had to flee without shoes. Made with funding from NZ On Air

Residents described a wall of water smashing into homes - made with funding from NZ On Air

The order came around 8.30am - Made with funding from NZ On Air

The family who were trapped in their cars have made their way to safety.

The evacuation of the Eastern Bay of Plenty town of Edgecumbe is under way.

The order came around 8.30am - Made with funding from NZ On Air

Edgecumbe resident says it looks like they are "about to lose everything".

Harry Street reckons there's no need to leave his home despite the threat of floods.

The power has been restored to most of South Auckland, as a month of rain fell in 24 hours

Brazen theft of two rare paintings from an Auckland art gallery sparks second mystery.

Flooding in the Western Bay was causing issues.

Police investigate alleged illegal transfer of kiwifruit cultivars to China, says Zespri.

Chaos as Cyclone Debbie's tail hammers NZ with heavy rain.

Motorists are urged to take care on the way home - but the worst is to come tomorrow.

The Koula collection sold for prices as high as $16,000. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Art enthusiasts attended an art auction in Tauranga, where the collection of Koula and Theo Vellinga was sold for prices as high as $16,000. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Home loan interest rates likely to continue to increase this year.

100 years on, NZ's darkest hour at Passchendaele remembered with commemorative stamps

The number of lifestyle properties in the Western Bay of Plenty has "exploded".

The Government is being urged to do right by those affected by a controversial drug.

230 Bay of Plenty students explore the possibility of working in horticulture after leaving secondary education. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Students explore their future at Cultivate Your Career. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A woman whose son was born with birth defects speaks out about the pill that caused it.

A goat who's "like a cross between Bob Marley and Tom Jones" is looking for a new home.

A skipper threw away a catch of 30 ton of fish to save five dolphins.

Inner-city apartment living is picking up momentum again in Tauranga.

A small pod of dolphins were caught in a fishing net near Tauranga.

Tauranga puts in $256.1 million bid to infrastructure fund, despite concerns about debt.

Police say cyclists shouldn't 'cheap out' on locks for their valuable bikes.