Cyclone Hate has caused severe damage to the Tairāwhiti region. Images show damage and a dropout on Arakihi Road in Tolaga Bay. Photo: Supplied/Uawa Civil Defence
MetService says while Cyclone Hale is weakening over the North Island, heavy rain and strong winds will continue to hit some areas for the next few hours.
Heavy rain warnings are still in place for the eastern hills and ranges of Wairarapa to midnight and for Mount Taranaki through to 6am tomorrow morning.
Several rural Wairarapa roads remain closed due to flooding and slips.
Roads between Masterton and the East Coast have been closed, including Masterton-Castlepoint road which cuts off Castlepoint, Riversdale, Whareama, Whakataki and Tinui.
Higgins contractors said some roads in the area are also down to one lane due to flooding and fallen trees.
Photo: Supplied/Tairāwhiti Civil Defence
Further south, White Rock Road east of Martinborough has been closed at Tuturumuri, isolating Tora on the coast.
Gisborne region suffering power outages
Across Tairāwhiti, 286 homes remain without power and will likely continue overnight.
The region remains in a state of emergency and residents are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel.
State Highway 35 remains closed from Tolaga Bay to Ruatoria but the road between Hicks Bay and Te Araroa has now opened.
State Highway 2 is closed between Wairoa and Napier.
Fifty-nine local roads are closed with issues of flooding, significant dropouts and slips.
The Tairāwhiti Civil Defence said river levels around the area are dropping rapidly.