WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (AP) – Authorities in Auckland declared a state of emergency yesterday as flooding again hit New Zealand’s largest city.
Further north in the city of Whangārei, a high school student was missing after a school group that was exploring caves got into trouble when floodwaters hit. Fire and emergency crews said they had responded to more than 200 calls, most in Auckland.
Many were for floodwaters entering buildings, but they had also responded to landslides, falling trees and trapped cars.
Severe weather has plagued the North Island this year. In January, four people were killed when floodwaters hit Auckland. In February, 11 died when Cyclone Gabrielle hit.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said it was a difficult time for the region. “We will get through this. We will support Auckland through it,” he told reporters.
Authorities said heavy rain was expected to continue off and on, although they hoped the most severe downpours may have already passed. Some train and bus services were cancelled, and authorities urged people to avoid unnecessary travel.
Police said a group of 15 students and two adults had been at the Abbey Caves in Whangārei when they got into trouble.
Search and rescue crews tried to find the missing student, police said, while the other students made it out safely. Local media reported the missing boy had been swept away by floodwaters. Whangārei Boys’ High School (WBHS) Principal Karen Gilbert-Smith wrote on Facebook that an outdoor education class had been on a caving trip.
“In time we will seek to understand how this situation occurred, but for now I ask that we stay united as a WBHS community and provide support where required,” the principal wrote.
