Sponge Bay News Today

The Gisborne District Council is looking to the future with a new plan providing guidance on the region's housing and business growth.

The happy-go-lucky highway

From wind strong enough to toss two train carriages, to seven-storey waves ripping buoys out of the Southern Ocean, New Zealand's weather is wildly changeable. And it's only going to get wilder.

The state of emergency in the area surrounding Gisborne has been lifted following three days of torrential rain that brought flooding and landslips to the area.

The state of emergency in the area surrounding Gisborne has been lifted following three days of torrential rain that brought flooding and landslips to the area.

Some areas of the district have received more than 200mm of rain in 24 hours, the council says.

Some areas of the district received more than 200mm of rain in 24 hours, but MetService says the heavy rain has eased.

Some Gisborne residents are being told to prepare to evacuate as flood levels rise in the waterlogged region.

Gisborne's mayor says nobody has yet been forced to leave their homes despite severe flooding in the region prompting a state of emergency being declared.

Some areas of the district received more than 200mm of rain in 24 hours, but MetService says the heavy rain has eased.