Locals mount boat rescue for at least 70 people trapped after flooding in Te Urewera forest

Bay of Plenty locals are racing to rescue a group suspected to number at least 70 who have been trapped amid flooding in the Te Urewera forest.

The Herald understands the group, which had travelled to the Hanamahihi area in the forest, had become trapped following the intense rainfall that has shifted down the country in recent days.

The group was attending a hui held at Hanamahihi by Tuhoe Te Uru Taumatua - the Tuhoe Iwi Authority, to tell anyone who could get up there by horseback, about what they plan to do in the future about Te Urewera huts.

Tuhoe Te Uru Taumatua has recently come under fire for the taking down of the DOC Te Urewera huts and there is a court order in place to prevent further huts from being dismantled.

Several videos have been posted on social media, showing people launching boats into a river to join the rescue effort. The videos show the boats fighting hard against a strong current.

The Herald understands the group has since been evacuated from Hanamahihi and brought back to the mainland.

Elderly members within the group were flown out by helicopter this morning.

Several boats have been launched in an effort to rescue people trapped in Te Urewera forest. Photo / Supplied

It comes after heavy overnight rain in Bay of Plenty and Coromandel led to at least one Tauranga home being destroyed by a landslide, residents being evacuated and more road closures. The Waitomo district has joined Auckland in announcing a state of emergency.

- More to come.