An operation is under way to rescue 100 exotic birds from behind Edgecumbe's cordon.
Parrots and budgies are among some of the birds the Whakatane SPCA is working to retrieve from a flooded aviary.
Its animal welfare inspector LiisaJones says they've reunited around 170 pets with their owners.
She says a team of eight people, including a local vet, are trying to save the birds - and get them to a clinic as soon as possible.
"The water is still flooded up through the aviary, which has caused the animals to be cold and in distress and have respiratory problems so we need to evacuate them now," said Ms Jones.
