Nine To Noon

We're into day five since Cyclone Gabrielle hit bringing widespread damage to large parts of the North Island. Six people are now known to have died in the storm, but the Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, has warned people to brace for the death toll to rise. Wairoa is one of many areas that has so many challenges ahead and communication is still fractured. Mayor Craig Hill talks to Kathryn about his devastated town and the surrounding settlements.

The town of Wairoa has been cut off for days, but efforts are underway to restore power and reconnect the town. Kathryn talks to mayor Craig Little about residents need most and how they're coping.

Bill joins Kathryn to talk about how internet connections have held up during Cyclone Gabrielle.

Many schools have been hard hit by the flooding in Hawkes Bay - and it could be weeks before children can return to the classroom. Twyford School on the outskirts of Hastings was inundated when the Ngaruroro River topped its banks. It has a roll of 180 - and Principal Sam Hocking has concerns for many of the families in his community.

The national power grid operator says it has made changes to get enough power to Hawke's Bay and Gisborne for 90,000 households. However, 40,800 homes remain without power in Hawke's Bay - and the focus is to get power to the Whakatu substation, which will help with the restoration of power to central Napier. John Clarke is Transpower's General Manager grid development.

Returning north to Dargaville now, to the swamped town of Kaipara, where some residents spent a third night in evacuation centres. The call was made yesterday evening for people who live near the Wairoa River, in the centre of town, to evacuate again last night. The head of Runanga o Ngati Whatua, Antony Thompson, says a large swathe of town was flooded yet again, though it wasn't as bad as previous nights.

Hundreds of Defence Force personnel are working with council and Civil Defence staff and volunteers to assist in the rescue effort. Navy ships have reached worst hit areas with water and other essentials. Defence Minister Andrew Little joins Kathryn for an update.

There are great concerns for the agricultural production areas around Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. James Allan is the Chief Executive of agri-business consultancy Agfirst.

Now to West Auckland, where bush clad Muriwai, Karekare, Piha and other settlements on the coast have been hard hit. Arborist companies are literally working around the clock to fell and clear trees threatening homes. Zach Fell - from TreeTops says there's no let up.

In Te Karaka, inland from Gisborne, 500 people were evacuated at 5am on Tuesday, heading for safety on higher ground.

They were left stranded for more than a day with no communication.

It's an area that will be visited by the Prime Minister Chris Hipkins today.

RNZ's Mani Dunlop tells Kathryn residents of the area feel it's taken too long to get help.