Sunday's burst of heavy rain created problems at two neighbouring addresses in Kaitaia yesterday, water from an old section of the Kaitaia River.
Water got into the garage at one address and a concrete forecourt area next door.
Mike Mitchell, who only moved into the first home a couple of months ago, said the water appeared to have got into his garage via a pipe that was supposed to drain the garage into the river, submerging a lawn mower and a weed eater but only getting halfway up the wheels of a Triumph motorbike.
Mr Mitchell said he hoped that the motorcycle had escaped any significant damage.
The family had only just lodged an insurance claim after being burgled, and would now be lodging another, he said.
Station Officer Ross Beddows said that a Kaitaia Fire Brigade appliance had pumped more than 2000 litres of dirty water from the next-door address.
While there appeared to be less water in Mr Kitchen's garage, it was still flowing in from the old river as the crew set up a pump.
Much of the 40.6mm of rain recorded in Kaitaia in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday fell in about an hour late on Sunday morning and early afternoon.
The downpour left water over a number of streets, although most drained away quickly once the sky cleared.
The previous 24 hours delivered 12.8mm of rain.
Hilton Kitchen recorded 51mm in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday, for a weekend total of 72mm.