Police are investigating a death in the Hawke’s Bay region in the aftermath of the cyclone.

The body was found this morning and police believe the death was “related to Cyclone Gabrielle”.

It comes as Kiwi families are mourning nine tragic deaths from Cyclone Gabrielle, while emergency teams continue to hunt for missing people and rush urgent food and water supplies to isolated communities.

The tragedy has hit hard in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti Gisborne, where seven people have now been confirmed dead, including a 2-year-old girl and the father of a rugby league star. Two others - volunteer firefighters - died after a landslip at Muriwai.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins yesterday warned there were also “grave fears” for others, given 4549 people were still listed as uncontactable by whānau and friends.

Almost 2000 people also remained in evacuation centres in Hawke’s Bay, while potentially up to 1000 residents in that region and Tairāwhiti were beyond the reach of emergency services.