Midday Report

Esk Valley residents, just north of Napier, have been told to be prepared to evacuate, with heavy rain forecast today.

The area was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle, when intense rainfall resulted in flash flooding with the Esk River overflowing, sending a raging torrent of slash and silt through homes and farmland in the middle of the night.

Heavy rain warnings are in place. 

Meanwhile, the downpours are fraying nerves across the region. 

RNZ reporter Soumya Bhamidipati spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Midday Report's Māni Dunlop is broadcasting from Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata Kapa Haka festival at Eden Park Ngā Ana Wai.

We wanted to give you a run-down of how it is all working this year, and how non-te reo Māori speakers can follow along.

She spoke to translator David Jones.

Severe weather warnings for heavy rain in Hawke's Bay are in place from today until mid-Saturday.

There are also heavy rain watches in place for Gisborne, Wairarapa (including the Tararua District), Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty.

And severe thunderstorm watches for Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris spoke to Māni Dunlop about where the rain was expected to fall, and how long the bad weather would last.

Te pūrongo o te Poutūtanga - Midday Report - is sharing regular civil defence announcements around 12.40pm every day for listeners in the Tai Rāwhiti and Hawke's Bay regions many of whom still have no poor or communications.

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Wairoa is also under the heavy rain warning - which lasts until mid-Saturday.

Residents are cleaning up Cyclone Gabrielle's devastating effects. 

But infrastructure, such as the roads in and out of the district, are vulnerable - and more heavy rain will likely take a toll. 

The prime minister Chris Hipkins was due to head to Wairoa on Thursday afternoon, to meet with volunteers and the district's mayor Craig Little.

Mr Little told Māni Dunlop the town needed more support, and millions-of-dollars more money to get people back on their feet.

A heavy rain warning is in force across Hawke's Bay, which was badly damaged and flooded by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The rain warning lasts until mid-Saturday.

Already it's turning dusty silt back into sloppy mud, making the clean up even more difficult.

RNZ reporter Soumya Bhamidipati spoke to Māni Dunlop from Hawke's Bay Showgrounds' supplies distribution hub.

Midday Report is broadcasting live from Eden Park where Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata is taking place; the world's largest kapa haka festival.

It is day one of four of the festival after an eventful powhiri yesterday at Okahu Bay.

Te Matatini chief operating officer Wi Pere speaks to Māni Dunlop at RNZ's studio at Ngā Ana Wai, Eden Park.