The Waihou River has burst its banks north of Te Aroha, blocking State Highway 26.

And in the Coromandel Peninsula, people are being urged to stay off the roads until further notice, with extensive road closures in effect.

State Highway 25 is closed between Coromandel Town and Whitianga.

And Thames Coromandel Mayor Len Salt told Tim Dower that State Highway 25A between Kopu to Hikuai is likely to be closed for months, after being effectively destroyed by a significant slip.

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