High winds, rain and heavy seas damaged roads and buildings in Auckland and Wellington. Ferry and air traffic between the North and South Islands were also suspended.

The one likely fatality occurred when a launch with four people aboard in the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island sank in high seas.

The National Search and Rescue Coordination Centre in a statement said the 12 metre (40 foot) long launch Rita sank during the night after issuing a distress signal. A passing ship picked up three survivors but a fourth man was missing.

The Centre said the dinghy he was believed to have been in has been found empty.

The missing man has not been named.

Meanwhile, Jacqui Ferrel, a local government official in Rangitikei, north of here, said the air force was using helicopters to evacuate more than 300 people trapped by rising floodwaters. Large numbers of people have also been moved out of the towns of Marton and Feilding.

This South Pacific nation of four million people is currently in summer.

TERRA.WIRE