Meanwhile, two Californian tourists were rescued from their rented Toyota stationwagon after they became trapped by rising floodwaters at Ruakuri Reserve.
A police spokesman said firefighters walked the pair to safety through fast-rising floodwaters about 1m deep that had swamped the scenic reserve's car park.
Te Kuiti fire chief Phil New said as it was still dark, the men were unsure what to do so called emergency services.