While hundreds of people evacuated from Edgecumbe today, the Tutua family decided to stay put.
Hikitia Tutua said her home was on a small hill.
Water was everywhere and the family were on their "own little island".
They were using a kayak to get around and check on theirs and their neighbours' stock.
"Our house is a metre above the water. Our house is fine, we've still got power. It's easier for us to stay here than to make our way to roads. There's nothing much else we can do."
