Police have since announced they have stood down from the Mahurangi River area, leaving the man outstanding. A month’s worth of rain was expected in two to three days for parts of the Northland region. Auckland, the rest of Tairāwhiti, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay were under orange heavy rain warnings on Wednesday. MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said heavy rain was expected on Thursday morning for the eastern parts of the North Island, but conditions should be easing throughout the day. The worst of the heavy rain would be behind the country on Thursday, although showery conditions were still expected on Friday, he said.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 21, 2026 05:47 UTC