Auckland starts cleaning up after deadly flash floods

New Zealand's biggest city under state of emergency; 3 people dead, I still missing

AUCKLAND - The authorities in New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland, began mopping up on Saturday after torrential rain brought flash flooding and evacuations, with at least three people confirmed dead and one still missing in the widespread inundation.

A state of emergency remained in place in the city of 1.6 million people on New Zealand's North Island as the downpour eased after Friday's flooding in the north, north-west and west.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, less than a week in office, flew by helicopter over Auckland before touring flood-hit homes.

"The level of devastation in some areas is considerable," Mr Hipkins told reporters, describing the event as "unprecedented" in recent memory.

He confirmed that three people died in the flooding, and at least one other person is missing.

"Having just surveyed some of the extensive damage both on the ground and in the air, it's clear that it's going to be a big clean-up job," Mr Hipkins said at a press conference in Auckland after flying from Wellington on a Defence Force aircraft.

"The loss of life underscores just the sheer scale of this weather event and how quickly it turned tragic."