Flooding on farmland at the base of the Awakino Gorge on Tuesday.
Photo: Supplied / Bree Joyce
Slips in Awakino Gorge have left some vehicles stuck and farmland is flooded as heavy rain hits the Waitomo district.
A number of slips on State Highway 3, just north of Awakino, closed the road between Mokau and Piopio as a result of significant weather in the area.
Police said some truck drivers had been unable to turn back from the blockages but were otherwise safe. Contractors were at the scene, they said.
A worker at the Awakino store said the heavily swollen Awakino River north of New Plymouth was flooding farmland in lower parts of the Awakino Gorge.
Bree Joyce of Ma’s Place: Awakino Store said she understood from contractors about five slips had come down in the gorge, and high waters were threatening at least one bridge along the route.
Flooding on farmland at the base of the Awakino Gorge on Tuesday.
Photo: Supplied / Bree Joyce
Motorists were urged not to travel through the gorge until the slips could be cleared and the road made safe.
Waitomo and the Waikato south of Raglan could see up to 60mm of rain before midday, MetService said.
An orange heavy rain warning is in place until midday in the regions along with the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty, until 5pm, and Tongariro National Park until 10am
Heavy rain was also expected Taumarunui and Taupo on Tuesday morning with a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.
Waikato police say there are a number of slips on State Highway 3.
Photo: NZTA / Waka Kotahi
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