But motel owners are worried where evacuees will go once their Easter bookings arrive

Flooding, evacuations and complete chaos - tropical storm Debbie brought it all to NZ.

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

Devastation wreaked by ex-Cyclone Debbie sends the country into cleanup mode today.

Council is prepared to evacuate residents if need be. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Residents are urged to be prepared. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Residents are bracing for more rain. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Rowers have cleared lower levels of their building. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

They've cleared the lower floors of their clubrooms. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A helicopter pilot organised an urgent flight for his bride to reach their wedding after she was stranded by flooding.

The skies are beginning to clear after last night's storm, but the respite may be short-lived, with thunderstorms and more heavy rain forecast for later today.

Tonight's session of the light show Power Plant has been cancelled as the rain and wind show no sign of easing.

Parts of Auckland and other North Island regions are under water and without power as torrential rain causes havoc. There's even more foul weather to come.

This week's storm chaos has seen unsettled silt at water treatment plants, sparking a city-wide call to save two buckets of water per person, per day.

No major damage from yesterday's storm, but there's more on the way.

Rainfall levels 'off the charts' as upper North Island prepares for a second big drenching this week.

Whangamata one of worst-hit towns after most serious storm in decades strikes.

Thames & Coromandel District Mayor Sandra Goudie discusses the state of the region after wild weather hit overnight. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

People affected by fires may be entitled to free doctor visits.

Burned vegetation clear in satellite images of Christchurch Port Hills.

A swimming pool - and quick thinking - helped save the Port Hills last week.

It may be wondered whether a country of NZ's size and population is well served by such a fragmented civil defence organisation.

Fire cordons in Port Hills are being lifted, to give people a few hours' access to their homes.

With temperatures expected to heat up this week, fire crews are racing against the clock to contain the Port Hills blaze and prevent any further loss.

Port Hills residents will have temporary access to their property so they can collect essential items and check on pets today.

Civil Defence is reminding the public that the Port Hills fire and surrounding zones are off limits to everyone, including recreational users.

Authorities working to contain the Port Hills fire are being helped by drizzle, which is forecast to turn to light rain this afternoon.

Civil Defence's reports of houses destroyed by fire and evacuations over the past 24 hours have varied wildly.

Firefighters who came to the rescue and battled the fires across the Hastings district were given a top send-off last night. About

Civil Defence minister questions the emergency response to the Port Hills fires, which have destroyed five houses and caused hundreds to flee.