<\/p>\n
\nFlooding on SH43 Forgotten Highway at Tokirima on Tuesday.
\nPhoto: JUSTINE VAUGHAN \/ SUPPLIED\n<\/p>\n
Two people trapped in floodwaters on SH4 near Taumaranui were rescued by locals in a jet boat.<\/p>\n
The road between Eight Mile Junction and Taumarunui had been closed since Tuesday morning by multiple slips in the area after flooding in the central North Island.<\/p>\n
Emergency services were called to a vehicle trapped by high water at about 4.30am on Wednesday, but could not get through the submerged road.<\/p>\n
A rescue helicopter was called in, but was stood down after members of the public reached the vehicle and brought the pair to safety.<\/p>\n
A FENZ spokeperson said at at least one crew is being sent to Taumarunui to help police in the in the flood-hit area.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile workers are trying to clear up in the Ruapehu region following Tuesday’s rain.<\/p>\n
Ruapehu civil defence controller Clive Manley said it would take two to three days for contractors to finish clearing the roads.<\/p>\n
\u014chura, Matiere, and Tokorima remained cut off by slips and flooding.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nState Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Robin Martin\n<\/p>\n
Road closures:<\/p>\n
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth.<\/p>\n
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.<\/p>\n
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangam\u014dmona to Taumarunui.<\/p>\n
In Waikato, SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale, and SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.<\/p>\n