Heavy rain chaos

Access to the small North Island township of Coromandel was restored yesterday after heavy rain brought down slips and closed roads overnight.

The slips closed three roads but soon after first light access was restored to the main road from Thames, although other roads remained closed or partially blocked by slips or flooding. The rain also triggered a slip on State Highway 5.

Whitianga volunteer fire chief Merv George said there was "quite extensive" flooding along the Coromandel peninsula.

The small settlement of Manaia was one of the worst-hit places. Resident Ruth Mikaere drove to town and got stranded within half an hour of the rain arriving. "Every time we get heavy rain our road gets blocked."

The wild weather continued yesterday, with fog causing the cancellation of 50 flights in and out of Auckland and delaying 47 others.

Rain is expected to continue today from Canterbury to Gisborne, but the rest of the country will see skies and winds clearing. Rain is expected to return tomorrow for most of the country.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA