Severe weather that battered the Thames-Coromandel region this week has damaged major roads, some of which remain closed.
Follow 1News' live updates on today's weather here
Photos captured by NZTA show fallen trees, swollen waterways and roads damaged by slips following intense rain in the region.
Parts of the East Coast remain inaccessible due to road closures.
This morning, New World Whangamatā shared a photo of its empty bread shelves, saying it was "currently cut off from the outside world". Its bakers were hard at work making fresh product, while two trucks were to bring emergency supplies as part of a convoy.
"To everyone on the ground, behind the scenes, and across our community: thank you. Your patience, teamwork, humor, and resilience make all the difference."
Powerco said crews have made "good progress overnight" repairing and restoring power to customers in Coromandel Peninsula, as well as western Bay of Plenty and eastern and southern Waikato.
"As at 9.30am today, around 1500 customers remain without power, down from 5700 at 4pm yesterday," it said.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in the Thames-Coromandel region Friday morning, urging residents to "stay alert and look for warning signs".
"Even though the heavy rain has passed, the large amount of rainfall leaves many parts of the region particularly vulnerable to landslides and fallen trees," Luxon said in a post shared to X.
"If you see any of these, act quickly, get away from the slope and call 111."
Heavy thunderstorms damaged properties and caused evacuations across the wider Bay of Plenty region. In Pāpamoa, two people were confirmed to have died after a slip damaged a house.
In Mount Maunganui, a major landslide at a campground has left several unaccounted for.
Update on Coromandel state highway network
The following sections of State Highway remain closed:
SH2 Paeroa to Waihi
SH25 Coromandel Town to Whitianga
SH25 Whangamatā to Whiritoa
SH25 Hikuai to Whangamatā
The following sections are open with speed restrictions in place:
SH25 Hikuai to Tairua
SH25 Whitianga to Tairua
The following sections have reopened:
SH25 Whiritoa to Waihi
SH25A Kopu to Hikuai
SH26 Te Aroha Bridge to Paeroa
"Priorities for our contractors today are regaining access in and out of Whangamata via SH25 to Hikuai, and re-opening the SH2 Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihi. These are expected to open by 7pm tonight. Another update will be provided later today," NZTA said.
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