Coromandel's Tairua locals stranded by blocked roads

At last, many Coromandel residents were able to enjoy a hot meal and a cold beer yesterday when the lights flickered on for the first times since Sunday night . But they're being warned that the situation with water is now "absolutely critical", with the sewer at capacity and likely to be overflowing in places. Residents have been largely cut off from the rest of the country thanks to Cyclone Gabrielle, and it's hoped that Waka Kotahi can today clear State Highway 25 and enable much-needed supplies to be brought in. Our reporter Leonard Powell has been among those stranded on the Coromandel's east coast.. He filed this report.