Heavy rain causes flooding and road closures in central North Island

Tuesday 14 October 2025 · 2 outlets · 3 reports · updated Tue 14 Oct 2025, 6:51pm

Heavy rain in the central North Island has caused flooding and slips, leaving some towns and settlements cut off. Several state highways in the New Plymouth, Ruapehu, and Waitomo areas are closed, and some schools have shut due to the weather.

How they headlined it

4h

2:22pm6:51pm

1. Otago Daily TimesTue 14 Oct 2025, 2:22pm

   Flooding closes highways as heavy rain hammers North Island (opens in new tab)

2. RNZTue 14 Oct 2025, 6:51pm

   Central North Island townships remain cut off following day of flooding and slips (opens in new tab)

   • As it happened: Flooding cuts off communities, closes highways in central North Island (opens in new tab) Tue 14 Oct 2025, 6:51pm