A group of school children trapped at a Hawke's Bay school when the storm sweeping the country cut off the school's only road have returned home safe and well, after a "great adventure".
About eight children and three teachers at Elsthorpe School, a rural primary school in central Hawke's Bay, spent several hours waiting for powerlines to be cleared and a fallen tree to be moved.
Principal Kathryn Rowe told NZPA the majority of the children at the school, which has a roll of about 50, were sent home this morning after heavy floodwaters threatened roads in the area.
The road became blocked about 11.30am, trapping the remaining students and all of the school's teachers, she said. The road was cleared by mid-afternoon and the children had returned safely home, she said.
"It was a great adventure for them."
Ms Rowe said while access to the school had been restored, the threat of slips and more rain could mean many students would not be able to make it tomorrow.
"We'll make a decision in the morning and decide whether the school will be open."
