Thousands of North Islanders are facing uncertainty, loss and grief in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. Psychologist Sarb Johal talks about how people can get the psychological support they need.

Paul Paynter's company Yummy Fruit is a major provider to the domestic market. He says there are horrific scenes in parts of the Esk Valley, with orchards and vines underwater and silt, dead animals and debris everywhere.

Hawke's Bay Chief Medical Officer Dr Robin Whyman says elective surgery is cancelled. Two primary care sites have been opened in Napier.

On Auckland's west coast, Piha resident, Mark Mitchinson says locals are cut off and some are stuck in their houses, he says North Piha is still underwater and some people feel like they've been forgotten.

Most people affected live in rural areas, including 1000 Wairoa residents. Eastland Network General Manager Jared Moroney says just over 2000 customers still don't have power in Tairawhiti.

There has been scant information about the state of rural Tairawhiti - and the many small communities and farms inland from Gisborne and Wairoa. Local Federated Farmers board member Sandra Faulkner is working with Civil Defence to get helicopters in beyond the broken bridges and washed out roads to check on farmers.

RNZ Reporter Sally Murphy is at Civil Defence Napier with the latest on roadings, evacuations and incredible survival stories from Esk Valley.

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.