Video has emerged of a bus driver taking on the deep floodwaters in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga.
The video, shared by Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board member Debbie Burrows on Facebook, shows cars floating and submerged in the water on Beachcroft Ave after heavy rain pelted the city on Wednesday morning.
As the video continues, the bus can be seen driving through the deep water.
The person filming the video was astonished by what they were seeing.
"Unbelievably, I see a bus trying to navigate this water. If I was not videoing, I wouldn't believe this. No, you're kidding me."
Transport Minister Michael Wood told the media at a press conference on Wednesday he hasn't had any safety concerns raised to him about bus drivers driving through flood waters, but he will raise them with Auckland Transport (AT).
"A huge thank you to the bus drivers who have gone over and above to keep people connected through what has been a crisis period for our city. They have done an extraordinary job, under real pressure as they have for the past couple of years," Wood said.
"It's really important those services are delivered, that it is done safely both for driver and for passengers as well and that's something I'll keep in touch with AT about.
"I also have regular engagement with the key unions who represent those drivers and it's something I'll raise with them."
Stacey van der Putten, Auckland Transport executive general manager safety, told Newshub this was an exceptional situation, which was changing rapidly and the bus drivers made the best of the circumstances.
"Regarding the video footage from Beachcroft Ave in Onehunga, we are working with the bus operator to get a fuller picture," van der Putten said.
"We're proud of our bus drivers for their resilience over the last few days."
Watch the video above.
