Red Cross is launching an appeal to help those affected by the weekend's floods - a disaster the organisation has labelled the worst to strike New Zealand since the Canterbury earthquakes.

The state of emergency has remained in place for Whanganui and Taranaki three days after flooding caused evacuations, slips, road closures and power cuts.

A Taranaki grandmother says she was shoved to the ground and handcuffed by police after she objected to being evacuated due to flooding.

Millions of dollars in Government relief will be pumped into the flood-ravaged lower North Island, as authorities warn it could take weeks to clean up.

Flooding caused road and bridge closures, cut power to homes and forced people to spend night in emergency accommodation or with friends and family.

Roads closed by extensive flooding and slips in the lower North Island are reopening tonight, but transport authorities are warning motorists to take care.

Three men have been charged over the death of a woman who got out of her car to move metal barriers blocking a state highway.

A man with a mouth "like an open sewer" who drove his neighbours off their rural block says he spends too much time driving to do community work.

Greymouth Petroleum's former chief operating officer and his company have been ordered to pay almost $780,000 to the oil and gas firm for negligence associated with a fracking operation and a seismic survey programme in Taranaki.

A climber rescued after he got stuck on Mt Taranaki overnight was left at the summit by his mates.

One person is believed to have died following a two-car collision in south Taranaki today.

Pack up the kids and head to the 'Naki, urges Rob Cox, but, he warns, you may have to eat humble pie when you see its glories.

Taranaki police have again spent the early hours of the morning coming to the aid of staggering residents who gave them a prickly welcome.

"They're everywhere. Any food you have, you absolutely have to keep it in the fridge. It's out of control and everyone is so sick of these ants."

One person is dead after a car collided with an Intercity bus at Awakino in Taranaki today.

At least 25 men and a digger were used to save a man whose 4WD flipped during a race meeting in Taranaki, trapping him under water.

A lawyer has warned teenagers to be careful what they post on social media after two teens were acquitted of sexual violation charges in the High Court in New Plymouth