The key points:

• The death toll has risen to four after the body of a man was found in floodwaters in Waikato
• A train has derailed, a bridge has collapsed and houses caught in landslides near Tauranga 
• The Waitomo District in Waikato and Auckland are in a state of emergency
• A severe thunderstorm warning is in place in Manawatu and Rangitikei, with a severe thunderstorm watch in Northland, Manawatu, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua and Wairarapa

Death toll rises to four

On Sunday afternoon, police said a body had been found in floodwaters in Waikato, bringing the death toll to four. 

Two people were found dead in the Auckland suburb of Wairau Valley, one in Remuera and one in Onewhero, Waikato.

Train derails, home destroyed by landslide near Tauranga

A freight train has been derailed near Te Puke, south of Tauranga, by floodwaters early Sunday morning. 

A freight train derailed by floodwaters near Tauranga. Source: 1News

A home in Tauranga has been destroyed by a landslide, and was pushed 20 metres towards the road. Police say no one was injured. 

People in Waitomo and the Bay of Plenty are being asked to stay put in their homes if it’s safe to do so

Flooding in Waitomo. Source: 1News

People are also being told not drive - as many roads have been affected by slips and are undriveable.

Te Kuiti residents have woken up to serious flooding and some parts of the area are experiencing water supply issues.

Posting online this morning, Waitomo Mayor John Robertson also said there was serious damage on some roads.

An emergency operating centre has been activated at Waitomo District Council. And for people needing water, a water truck will be at the Les Munro Centre from 8am today.

Last night, the Waitomo District was put into a state of emergency. Yesterday Robertson said the district had experienced widespread flooding and heavy rain, and there were reports of flooding, slips and people being evacuated.

Clean up underway in Auckland

48 truckloads of material had to be removed from Auckland's Northwestern Motorway, Transport Minister Michael Wood said in a press conference. 

Aucklanders are still being encouraged to stay home if they can and to avoid non-essential travel. There’s more rain expected in the region over the next few days.

International arrivals are back on at Auckland Airport this morning.

In a media update just before midnight, the airport said security and border processes would reopen from 3.30am. The first international flight was scheduled to leave at 6am.

More bad weather to come

Metservice has warnings in place for many regions across the country:

• Northland: heavy rain warning and severe thunderstorm watch
• Auckland: heavy rain watch
• Coromandel Peninsula: heavy rain warning
• Waikato and Waitomo: heavy rain watch
• Taranaki: heavy rain watch
• Manawatu and Rangitikei: severe thunderstorm warning
• Manawatu, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa: severe thunderstorm watch
• Tasman and Marlborough: heavy rain watch

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