STORY: Footage from local broadcaster TVNZ showed roads that had fallen away and damaged homes, while residents removed flood damaged items from properties.

"Yes. Climate change is real, it's with us, it's having an impact on our weather...We need to be prepared for that and we need to do everything we can to combat the challenge of climate change," Hipkins said.

Four people lost their lives in flash floods and landslides that hit Auckland over the last three days. A state of emergency remains in place in Auckland.