Forecasters are warning of more wild weather on the way for residents of the North Island's East Coast, who are already coming to terms with the damage caused by widespread flooding on Sunday.
Dozens of properties were evacuated on Sunday morning after water rushed through homes and submerged local infrastructure.
All unnecessary travel is being discouraged along the coast ahead of official infrastructure checks later on Monday.
Civil Defence spokesman David Wilson says the fast-moving floodwater took a toll on the area.
"We're very much urging people to drive to the conditions," he told Newshub. "Please drive safely."
Much of the rain hit north of Tolaga Bay at double the expected level. Wilson said the sudden downpour took many by surprise.
"Parts of the coast have had 200mm of rain within 24 hours so that's a significant amount of rain we've had around Tokomaru Bay to East Cape - it caused rivers to rise quite rapidly."
And the weather shows no signs of slowing down as a low front continues its path of destruction further south.
MetService has issued heavy rain warnings for Wellington and Marlborough, while Kaikōura is also expected to get nearly 300mm.
"East Cape down to the Kaikōura ranges; slips, localised flooding - I think between now and tomorrow - that's the time we're going to have to watch," NIWA principal scientist Chris Brandolino told The AM Show on Monday.
"We're going to have a quick, sharp cool down for the next couple of days… then it's going to warm up again this weekend."
