Music festival attendees had to help others from being swept downstream in chest-high water, when the banks of the river behind the event split late last night.
Ranger Con's tent managed to escape most of the damage, but at one point he got into his canoe and helped an old dog across the water. Photo: RNZ / Eva Corlett
Emergency services were at the Sundaise Festival site at Dickey Flat in Waitawheta from just after midnight.
About 800 people were still there, and members of the public were providing shelter in their homes and sheds.
About 60 of the 200 evacuees were being cared for by Hauraki Civil Defence staff at Waihi Memorial Hall.
Today, the site resembles a muddy bog, with large puddles yet to subside, a heaving river nearby and sodden tents and caravans.
Civil Defence and the army are onsite helping to manoeuvre cars out.
Festival organiser Matt Griffiths has had a long night of getting partiers to higher ground. Photo: RNZ / Eva Corlett
Festival organiser Matt Griffiths said they made the call to evacuate some punters at about 10.30pm, when the banks of the river behind the event split and created torrents around the stages and camp.
He said it was disappointing the festival was cancelled, with many great acts yet to play.
A camper named Ben said at one point the water was chest deep and he had to help a woman who was being swept downstream.
From there, 200 were moved to higher ground and 50 of those were transported into Waihi. The Salvation Army supplied the group with blankets, clothes and food throughout the night.
One festival-goer, who goes by the name Ranger Con, said he managed to stay dry because he was on higher ground, but that his van was looking worse for wear.
"We watched panic-stricken people fleeing, and we watched the river coming up, and we watched the river burst its banks, and there was continuous drama through the night, we stayed steadfast though."
He said at one point he got into his canoe and helped an old dog across the water.
Maria Foley, Colin Higgins and Daniel McCarthy with dogs Bonnie and Clyde were evacuated from the music festival. Photo: RNZ / Eva Corlett
One camper, Ness Max, said the organisers did not raise the alarm soon enough, leaving families and small children scared and lost.
Many at the festival make up part of The Extravaganza travelling festival and live on their house trucks, buses and in caravans.
One couple who travelled for eight months of the year as part of a travelling fair had to abandon their home truck and two parrots just after midnight.
Colin Higgins said the river rose rapidly and they only had time to grab two pet dogs, their passports and a bag of clothing.
An area that turned into a river and swept the white chiller downstream. The car was submerged to its windows Photo: RNZ / Eva Corlett
Hauraki district Civil Defence controller Steve Fabish said vehicles had become bogged down and heavy rain caused tents to collapse.
"With the rising river going through close to that event and the uncertainty of this heavy rain they found themselves in a situation where they were on the potential of being flooded out," he said.
"Especially the tents, and they became very wet, and certainly without decent shelter."
Mr Fabish said there had been some surface flooding across the rest of the Hauraki district as drains struggled to cope but the rain has now subsided.
There were no reported injuries, Mr Fabish said, and the council said all concert goers were accounted for and being looked after.
Cousins Rebecca Brown and Daniel McCarthy from Whangaparaoa were evacuated from the festival near Waihi last night. Photo: RNZ / Eva Corlett