New Zealand’s North Island has been dealt a severe blow with heavy rains and strong winds causing havoc across the region.

One person has died in Rotorua after heavy gales caused a large oak tree to come down in Rotorua.

The woman died after becoming trapped in her car. Fire crews are still trying to use chainsaws to cut through the branches to reach her.

About 200 people have been evacuated from Kaiaua Village in the Hauraki District, and fire crews are assisting residents to get them to higher ground.

Large waves have battered the roads in Whitianga.

In Northland, power is still out to hundreds of homes ‑ with at least 500 being affected in the Dargaville area.

Northland Civil Defence officer Bill Huthcinson said the fire service had received hundreds of call‑outs for wind‑related issues, but no major flooding had been reported.

Source: Radio NZ