- Residents in Gisborne can use water again following a fix to the treatment works, but they should still try to conserve it.
- A national state of emergency has been declared. It is only the third in New Zealand's history.
- Auckland, Northland, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Ōpōtiki, Whakatāne, Waikato, Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki, Tararua, Napier and Hastings had already declared local states of emergency.
- Eleven people have been confirmed killed in the storm, including a child and two firefighters.
- Many rivers remain flooded with water levels dangerously high and police say people should stay away and not put themselves at risk.
- Thousands of people have been registered as uncontactable.
- Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has warned the rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle will be enormous and lengthy.
The death toll from Cyclone Gabrielle has climbed to 11, as thousands of people remained missing a week after the devastating storm struck the North Island.
The cyclone hit on Sunday last week on the uppermost region of the island, before tracking down the east coast, causing widespread destruction. There has been severe damage to homes, farms, businesses and infrastructure, and the death toll includes a child and two firefighters.
Police today confirmed two more deaths in the hard-hit Hawke's Bay: a person passed away in their Napier home in the suburb of Onekawa on Thursday, while another person was reported to have died in the Hastings suburb of Crownthorpe last night.
Police said both were believed to have died in circumstances related to the massive storm. The deaths have been referred to the Coroner.
Meanwhile, half of the 6000 reports of uncontactable people after the cyclone have now been resolved, according to police.
Speaking to media this afternoon, Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park said 3000 people have been located and it was still unclear how many actual people remain uncontactable as some of the 6000 reports are multiple reports for the same person.
Authorities have previously said they have grave fears for a small number, about 10, of those still missing.
Recovery efforts are continuing, with teams from Auckland Council carrying out rapid building assessments on damaged homes in the coastal areas of Muriwai and Piha, about 60km west of the nation's largest city Auckland.
Emergency authorities and military yesterday dropped critical supplies via helicopter to communities stranded since the cyclone.
About 62,000 households were without power nationwide. Of those, almost 40,000 were in Hawke's Bay, out of a population of about 170,000.
Prime Minister Hipkins has said the crisis response is "still under way" and that people across the North Island are "working around the clock."
Focus on reaching isolated communities
Hawke's Bay Civil Defence said the focus of its cyclone response efforts remained reaching isolated rural communities today, including Wairoa.
Yesterday, 12 civilian helicopter flights landed in cut-off communities with food, water, generators and to check on welfare.
Edaan Lennan said those efforts would continue daily, and some communities would need to be revisited and stocked up with supplies.
Teams were also working to arrange temporary accommodation for those in evacuation centres whose homes have been destroyed.
Fire and Emergency have been completing rapid damage assessments in hardest hit areas like Eskdale, and council assessors have also been through, Lennan said.
Councils will also be working on debris and waste removal - with many transfer stations in the region either closed due to damage, or overwhelmed.
Police have sent an extra 100 officers to Hawke's Bay and nearby Tairawhiti, including to isolated areas, and the New Zealand Herald reported roadblocks around a rural Hawke’s Bay village to deter looters.
Officers have arrested five people and the police eagle helicopter has been brought in to help track and locate offenders or vehicles of interest.
As of last night, police had logged almost 1500 jobs throughout the district including public reassurance, patrols and vehicle stops.
"People are hurting, many are still without power, and or are unable to go home.
"Part of our response is being on the streets and in vulnerable areas, deterring the people who want to take advantage of this disaster."
Several roadblocks have been in place around a rural Hawke’s Bay village under threat from looters overnight - and residents manning them appear to have the blessings of police and the Defence Force.
It’s understood two officers came to speak with Puketapu residents after The New Zealand Herald revealed that locals were planning to install roadblocks or checkpoints overnight to deter looters.
Five people in a silver ute were found looting a property on Friday night, putting already stressed residents under more pressure in the aftermath of the cyclone.
The incident prompted fears from some residents people would arm themselves in case more looters came.
The Herald understands officers told residents the checkpoints could be installed as long as no firearms were involved. It was also believed some personnel from the Defence Force were assisting with a checkpoint near Rissington.
When visited by the Herald last night the checkpoints comprised a large truck in the centre of the road with lights flashing and concrete blocks on either side to stop people skirting around the roadside. The number of people manning the checkpoints varied.
One person at one checkpoint told the Herald he had turned away three cars in just 15 minutes but none had been aggressive. It is also understood that once word got out that the checkpoints were being installed, residents from surrounding areas also volunteered to help.
Police have warned people against carrying firearms.
“We’d remind people that activity like arming yourself puts you, the community and others at potential risk, and you could risk criminal charges,” a spokesperson said.
Urgent Civil Defence payments approved
People based in East Coast or Hawke's Bay who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle can now apply online for a Civil Defence payment for help with food, bedding, clothing or temporary accommodation.
Applications can be submitted through the Work and Income website. Those applying online will need to have an MSD client number.
Anyone looking for welfare assistance due to loss of livelihood can still call 0800 400 100.
• More information on Civil Defence Payments can be found here.
- RNZ, Reuters and NZ Herald
