Next will be the clean-up and there are already serious concerns around water contamination.
That's the findings of the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Meenal Duggal.
The cyclone wreaked havoc in Tonga over the last 24 hours.
Hamish McDouall says banning freedom campers "blanks out little bit of New Zealand culture".
The drop-in pitch at Westpac Stadium for tonight's match is looking 'interesting', one former English cricketer said.
He was found at midnight in Mangere.
Virginie Dourlet spent a nerve-wracking night in the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa.
The British singer is heading to NZ.
NZ is coordinating the international relief response alongside other countries including Australia.
The Thunder centre showed his usual Kiwi flair while tackling some curly questions.
The bus was not carrying any passengers.
The PM said she doesn't always agree with recipients' opinions.
The Swiss athletes have time to kill.
1 NEWS' Barbara Dreaver filmed these heart-breaking images of Tonga's Parliament House this morning.
It hit 15 kilometres north of Porangahau.
The sheer ruination caused by the category four storm has been captured in unbelievable pictures.
NZTA reported a slip closed SH11, south of Opua this morning.
A GP is currently giving evidence at the High Court in Wellington.
The Labour Minister said she had a sleepless night worrying about the safety of her parents in Tonga as the cyclone hit.
Bill English announced his resignation as leader of the National Party today, saying the time was right. Who will replace him?
The Jacinda-effect claims another victim with Mr English deciding he’s not the man to lead National forward.
Lenny Folau woke up and needed to see Gita's destruction with his own eyes. This is what he saw.
The PM paid tribute in the House today.
1 NEWS' Corin Dann looks at who could be the next National leader.
Expect to feel Gita in one form or another this coming weekend, says WeatherWatch.
Colin Mitchell has denied any involvement in an alleged attack last year.
The supplies will be sent to Tonga this afternoon.
The Auckland franchise will face the Canes in a pre-season match on Thursday.
One of the candidates got the thumbs down for looking too much like the singer's exes.
Today Sarah Johns received the 2017 Prime Minister's Science Teacher Prize.
The owner and his staff were forced to flee the scene as the gang approached them.
Brownie Mane was convicted of killing Christopher Crean in 1996.
Calls and texts to Tonga will be free for 48 hours for all Vodafone customers.
They arrived in a stolen red Mazda Demio driven by a fourth person.
Many residents in the Pacific nation documented the extreme weather event.
Undersiege all week, Kane Williamson answered with a stunning match-winning knock to help NZ close in on the Tri Series final.
Albert Vete was among those to attend a sausage sizzle fundraiser today.
None have publicly thrown their hats in the ring yet but they have just two weeks to lobby colleagues before the vote.
The National Party leader announced his resignation from politics today.
When it comes to leadership aspirants, National doesn't lack for quantity, it lacks for quality, writes John Armstrong.
"Hang tight, help is on its way," says Tongan Advisory Council of NZ chairman Melino Maka.
