Gale force winds and heavy rain have caused havoc across the country , with one woman dead after her body was pulled from a swollen river and her partner still missing.
It is the second large storm to hit Northland in the past week and emergency services are advising people to travel only if necessary.
Last weekend's big storm killed three people and a fourth died in a house fire, when candles were used after electricity was cut.
Today most parts of the country were dealing with the storm or were bracing for it to hit, as emergency services worked overtime to clear roads.
Tornadoes hit northern Buller this morning with gale force winds ripping through properties in
Motorists throughout the country have been urged to keep speeds right down in the wet slippery conditions.
The weather bought power lines and trees down in the Far North, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu and some roads have been closed, with slips making many roads impassable.
Some slips are not expected to be cleared until at least tomorrow.
Thames-Coromandel Mayor Philippa Barriball is urging residents to stay where they are and avoid any unnecessary travel.
Stormy conditions have led to a number of highway closures in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne , while motorists have been urged to used extreme caution due to surface flooding between Blenheim and Kaikoura .
Flooding has been reported across the Hastings District and a slip and trees on the road have closed the road between Shannon and Opiki in Manawatu.
A number of roads in the
