Farmers in some parts of Northland are pleading for spare feed after a week of stormy weather that's left their land completely underwater.
Federated Farmers Northland president, Roger Ludbrook said some farmers had survived the heavy rain with little damage to their properties. But he said it was a different story for others, particularly near Hikurangi and Ruawai.
Flooding in Pipiwai, west of Whangarei. Photo: Steve MacMillan
"They're actually putting a call out for anyone who's got any spare supplementary feed to get in contact with the rural support trusts in Northland because Hikurangi swamp farmers have just got no land at the moment."
Water crisis in Paihia eases slightly
In Paihia, civil defence says residents have taken heed of water conservation messages, leading to a small gain in the water supply.
Reservoir supplies dropped to six hours' worth of water on Sunday afternoon.
Acting civil defence controller Ken Ross said the situation had improved, but there were still three water tankers on standby.
"It's still not a lot of water, we've probably still only got about six or seven hours of water in there but if people keep on conserving we can stay ahead of demand."
Civil Defence said Moerewa residents whose properties were still surrounded by water should use newly installed portaloos, rather than risk overloading already flooded septic tanks. Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams
Meanwhile, State Highway 1 will remain closed south of Kawakawa for at least another two days because of slips. Diversions mean heavy vehicles can now get through.
And Top Energy says less than 300 households are now without power, and all but a handful of Northpower customers have been reconnected.
Civil Defence Minister visits Northland
Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye is meeting with Northland leaders and residents to see what help the Government can give the storm-battered region.
Nikki Kaye. Photo: SUPPLIED
Ms Kaye has been visiting the worst-affected communities on Sunday, including Hikurangi and Moerewa, where 11 houses were evacuated.
Civil Defence in Northland says the risks from damaged electricity boxes and from flooded septic tanks mean it could be up to three days before the clean-up around the town of Moerewa can begin in earnest.
The fire service ordered the evacuation of one house in the town after a water-damaged power box began smoking.
Michael Butler from Civil Defence said residents whose properties were still surrounded by water were being urged to use newly installed portaloos, rather than risk overloading already flooded septic tanks.
Ms Kaye said Northland civil defence had done a good job of managing the response to the storm, but she would look at what other help the Government might be able to provide.
Body found near where woman was swept away
A body has been found downstream from the Haruru Falls where a woman was swept away in floodwaters on Saturday.
A search since first light on Saturday has been underway for the woman who was last seen being carried away in the swollen Waitangi River near Paihia at about 6pm.
Searchers say large areas of land that were not able to be searched have been uncovered as the river levels dropped overnight.
About 20 people took part in the search in difficult terrain.
