The road between Ruatoria and Tokomaru Bay. Photo: RNZ / Kate Green
A state of emergency has been declared for Waikato and Whakatāne in Bay of Plenty and evacuations are underway in some areas.
The Ōpōtiki District Council says it is encouraging people from as many as 400 properties to evacuate before the worst of Cyclone Gabrielle hits overnight.
Waikato decared a state of emergency just after 4pm due to modelling and a risk assessment which indicated several areas of high risk, including low lying areas near the Waikato river from north of Te Kohanga through to Port Waikato.
"We are now beginning to visit impacted properties directly to let them know they need to evacuate," a Civil Defence spokesperson said in a statement.
The heaviest downpours for the area were expected to hit from midnight through to 5am, and it would be safer to evacuate during daylight hours.
A state of emergency has also been declared for Whakatāne with residents in 100 homes being ordered to evacuate.
A mandatory evacuation order now applies to all homes in the West End in Ōhope, up to and including Beach Point Apartment complex.
Re-entry will be reassessed tomorrow after high tide after 1.30pm tomorrow.
The council is strongly recommending residents consider self-evacuation continue for all other parts of Ōhope and Port Ōhope that are exposed to storm surge.
Meanwhile, Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore declared a state of emergency this morning so that the district was as prepared as possible for the impact of the cyclone.
State Highway 35 is due to close at 7pm today and the council said this afternoon those occupying houses in low-lying areas were being encouraged to get out before darkness set in.
The road to Anauru Bay off SH35. Photo: RNZ / Kate Green
A council spokesperson said the storm, combined with high tide in the middle of the night, could cause significant damage.
Ōpōtiki Civil Defence controller Gerard McCormack said residents in low lying areas of Ohiwa Spit, Kutarere, the Tirohanga Motor Camp, and low-lying areas along SH35 - Opape, Torere, Maraenui, Whanarua Bay, Waihau Bay, Raukokore, and Whangaparaoa were being evacuated.
"We will be calling and door knocking throughout the afternoon. We expect to have called or contacted 450-500 households by this evening."
People in those areas not yet notified to evacuate should do do as soon as possible, he said.
The chief executive of Te Rūnanga o Te Whānau a Apanui, Rikirangi Gage, said marae along the coast have thrown open their doors and were encouraging whānau to evacuate.
"It's drizzling here, we've had a few gusts, but we're told to anticipate the worst part at about 1 o'clock in the morning," he said. "Those marae that are well above sea level, we've made them available to the community. I think it will be all hands on deck tonight and just watching and reacting to what happens."
He said people who live in settlements including Waihau Bay, Oruaiti, Maraenui, and Whanarua Bay, were being helped.
"If you are asked to evacuate, please move to the closest centre as roads may be difficult to pass and we want to avoid travel when possible," a council spokesperson said in a statement.
"Huge thanks to Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tai and Whakatohea for their support standing up many of these centres."
Te Araroa Civil Defence is advising residents of Onepoto in the Gisborne region to evacuate.
Its Facebook page advises any evacuees to head to the Hicks Bay Motor Lodge.
The area is the easternmost part of the country.
Residents in Hikuwai Tolaga Bay and Te Arai Manutuke have also been advised to evacuate with police and Fire and Emergency assisting.
Tairawhiti Civil Defence said they were concerned about people living in low-lying areas with river levels expected to reach critical levels faster than indicated.
People should stay with whānau and friends and welfare centres are ready to be activated from 6pm.