Metservice has issued severe weather warnings for large parts of Te-Ika-a-Māui - the North Island - with red warnings for Gisborne and the Wairoa District.

The bad weather, brought by former cyclone Fili, comes as a blow to Tairāwhiti and Wairoa in particular, which were hardest hit by the latest storm three weeks ago.

Wairoa's mayor Craig Little spoke to Māni Dunlop.