[chris]

New Zealand declared a National State of Emergency on Tuesday for the third time in its history as Cyclone Gabrielle brought severe weather to the North Island. It applied to Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Hawke's Bay, with officials saying conditions overnight Monday into Tuesday warranted including the whole country.

The cyclone has hit the North Island with wind, rain and waves since Sunday evening. More than 265 millimetres of rain was recorded in a 12-hour period.

In Auckland, authorities evacuated residents from 50 homes around a 30 m-high tower that was in danger of collapse. Dozens of evacuation centres were also set up in the city.

In Whitianga, Waikato, a record storm surge at midday caused coastal flooding and raised concerns about erosion and landslides. Rivers in Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay were rising, and the defence force was mobilising trucks and personnel to assist with evacuations.

Power outages disrupted cellular communications, leaving several regions impossible to contact. There were reports of houses submerged and residents trapped in Hawke's Bay, while local authorities said the cyclone would continue bringing severe weather to northern and central New Zealand as it moved southeast.