Floods close school and roads

More than 270 primary school children and their parents had to rearrange their day today when Opotiki Primary School closed because of surface flooding in the town.

School principal Tony Howe said after speaking to the council he made the difficult decision to close the gates.

"Our toilets are not operating, the town's sewerage and water pumps function on the same system. They're pumping excess surface flooding in town and can't cope with the sewerage system at the same time."

Water was rapidly receding in town and Mr Howe told the Herald the school would reopen tomorrow.

Meanwhile SH36 between Tauranga and Rotorua remains closed due to a slip near Pyes Pa. Conditions will be reviewed later today.

SH35 between Tikitiki and Hicks Bay on the East Coast also remains closed due to a large land slip 1km south of Hicks Bay. Contractors are working to clear the highway as there is no alternative route available. The situation will be reviewed at 2pm today.

Environment Bay of Plenty said flood duty staff were on alert last night as heavy rain caused significant flooding in the lower Kaituna area and the Rangitaiki Plains.

Environment Waikato flood duty officer Jan Hania said 250mm of rain fell at The Pinnacles in the Coromandel and vast areas of surface flooding existed around the Huntly, Waihou, and Piako districts.