A gathering ended with near-tragedy when a vehicle ploughed into a crowd on a remote rural road outside re-elected Manawatu district mayor Ian McKelvie's property.

NIWA's latest seasonal outlook predicts temperatures in all regions are likely to be above average from October to December.

Hundreds of North Island homes have been hit by power cuts as high winds continue to lash regions still reeling from the weekend's storm.

Bay of Plenty defied trying conditions to outgun Manawatu last night.

The heavy rain that caused slips and surface flooding in the lower North Island is expected to stop this afternoon but many roads in the area are still closed.

Slips and surface flooding are causing havoc for motorists in the lower North Island as heavy rain and gale force winds sweep the region.

A wide cross-section of the Feilding community turned out for a candlelit service tonight in response to recent tragic deaths, and to celebrate the town's strength of spirit.

A farmhouse in Feilding has been cordoned off and a scene examination would be carried out over the coming days.