Five Hawke's Bay schools closed due wind and heavy rain

Lake Road Waipukurau. Photo / Clinton Llewellyn

Five Hawke's Bay schools are closed due to the wind and heavy rain which is hammering parts of the North Island.

Haumoana School, Elsthorpe School Mohaka School, Pakipaki School and Pakowhai School are among 10 other North Island schools and six early childhood services closed today due to the bad weather.

A Ministry of Education spokesman said the closures are affecting 351 students in the region and 1883 students and 175 younger learners.

"Ministry staff have been in contact with all schools/kura and ECEs in the regions to provide them with advice and support if needed."

"The best information will come from schools and early learning services themselves and parents and whānau are advised to check their school or early childhood service website or Facebook page or contact them directly for the latest information."

They said the decision to close remains that of the board of trustees for each school and managers/owners for early learning services.

In Southern Hawke's Bay, Weber School will close at 1pm today due to weather concerns and rising rivers.

Weber School principal Janine Satchewell said they had 66 students and were in the process of phoning parents to let them know.

The Herbertville Bus was leaving school at 1pm and parents whose children normally travel on the Motea bus were being advised to pick them up.