Thousands were reported as uncontactable after Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread destruction across the North Island, but that number is now down to eight. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn
The number of people reported as uncontactable following Cyclone Gabrielle has dropped to eight, down from 13 on Friday night.
Some of those were people who, "for a variety of reasons, do not engage with authorities", police said in a statement.
However, getting in touch with them remained a priority and all avenues were being explored to try and locate them.
Monitoring crimes in storm-hit communities
Police said in the 24 hours to 7pm on Saturday, 534 prevention activities had been carried out in the Eastern District, including reassurance patrols and proactive engagements with storm-hit communities.
Twenty-four people had been arrested for a variety of offences, including burglary, car theft, serious assault, and disorder.
Fourteen of the arrests were in Hawke's Bay, police said, and 10 were in Tai Rāwhiti.
An investigation into an incident in which a police patrol car was damaged in Wairoa around 10.30pm last night was ongoing.
Police said a headlight on the patrol car was damaged after they responded to a breach of the peace in Churchill Avenue.
Three people were arrested when they attempted to leave the address and a firearm was seized, police said.