Rain has eased on the East Coast, but the clean-up continues to take its toll on farmers after recent weather ruined crops and once again cut-off communities.
An hour inland from Gisborne, a temporary bridge that had been the main connection for a group of farmers has been destroyed by logs which swept down the river.
Farmer Kylie Webster said the new bout of bad weather continued to be "extremely challenging" for her family. Quad-bikes were now an alternative to get across.
"I've got two young kids that I need to get to school every day."
Two months ago, the original crossing was destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle and without the temporary bridge, only tractors can cut through the river.
The bridge is a vital link for the area's farms who desperately need it to move stock.
"We've had to send stock, we've had to keep stock, because we can't send them. It does cost us money," Webster said.
Another farmer Denise Gilbertson emphasised the bridge was the only way they could get in or out: "We've got no other way. We're a dead-end road."
East Coast vegetable growers are doing it tough too. 1News met a potato farmer whose crops, destined for local Christmas tables, have been damaged by rain and mud.
"That's buggered," said vegetable grower Calvin Gedye, holding up ruined crops.
"Absolutely gutted. Absolutely gutted. This crop was looking so good."
He said weather events have damaged around half a million dollars worth of produce, and the constant battle to keep the family business afloat is taking its toll.
"It really is to the point of why are we doing this," the grower said.
"You just reach the point where you just hide in your tractor, and I think you'll find a lot of farmers around here hiding in tractors."
He added: "Every time we think we get ahead, we just get hammered."
The Rural Support Trust's Vicki Crosswell, who's charity helps farmers and growers, said the frequency of ongoing weather events was taking its toll.
"We've got some old boys out there that are grinning and bearing it."
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