Labour's housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty has questioned the announcement, which he said had "caught him by surprise" given recent housing budget cuts.
The 2:19am rumble would have been an early wake up call for those in the area.
Video shows the speedway flooded as loud water gushes down the stands.
Water was up to the woman's chest and still rising before the workers smashed her window.
The 60th anniversary of the Red Stag Rotorua Marathon is being held early May.
A witness said she saw an elderly man "flip in the air".
Manaaki Rotorua was set up to welcome nominated families to the region courtesy of tourism and hospitality providers.
Photos "splashed around in the media looked dramatic", he said.
Koan Hemana has revealed the surreality of walking up the Harvard steps for the very first time.
