I'M LAURA TUPOU. AND NOW ON THE PROJECT ` ONE STREET THAT TELLS THE STORY OF A DISASTER. NEW ZEALANDERS ARE CLEANING UP THE MESS FROM THE TERRIBLE FLOODING WHILE BRACING FOR MORE TO COME. ONE OF THE WORST-HIT STREETS WAS CLOVER DRIVE IN HENDERSON, WEST AUCKLAND, WHERE RESIDENTS WERE UP TO THEIR NECKS IN WATER. EMERGENCY SERVICES ARRIVED WITH A FIRE TRUCK, A JET-SKI AND EVEN KAYAKS TO GET PEOPLE TO SAFETY, AND MANY ROADS NEARBY ARE STILL CLOSED. KANOA WENT OUT TODAY TO SEE HOW THE RESIDENTS ARE DOING. LOOKING AT THE NEWS PICTURES OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING HERE IN THE RAIN ON FRIDAY, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE MY EYES. SO I'VE COME DOWN HERE TO MEET THE COMMUNITY, TO HAVE A LOOK AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY MIGHT NEED. (GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC) I ARRIVED AT YOUR HOME, AND IT WAS JUST FULL OF PEOPLE. WHAT ARE ALL THE PEOPLE HERE DOING? HELPING ME DO THE GARAGE, THE KITCHEN, ONE BATHROOM, AND THE REST IS DONE BY ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS. SOMETIMES I DON'T EVEN KNOW THEIR NAMES, BUT ARE WHOEVER THEY ARE, THEY'RE JUST ANGELS. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT THIS CLEAN-UP? (SIGHS) TEARFULLY: WHEN YOU OPEN A DRAWER, YOUR LITTLE GIRL'S STUFF IS GONE. YOUR PARENTS' PHOTOS ARE GONE. I DON'T MIND THE MESS. THAT CAN BE CLEANED. AT THIS HOME IN HENDERSON, THE CLEAN-UP IS ONGOING. BUT JUST A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AGO, ON FRIDAY, THE FAMILY WHO LIVE HERE TOLD ME THAT THE WATER WAS UP TO HERE. THEY HAD TO ESSENTIALLY SWIM OR BE CARRIED OUT TO SAFETY. IT'S JUST TERRIFYING TO IMAGINE. (POIGNANT MUSIC) IT'S NOT UNTIL YOU'RE INSIDE ONE OF THESE HOMES THAT YOU REALLY GET A SENSE OF JUST HOW CRAZY IT IS. LIKE, THERE'S SO MUCH WATER AND MUD STILL IN THE CARPETS, IN EVERYTHING AT LOW LEVEL. AND IF THE WATER DIDN'T GET THEIR BELONGINGS, I THINK THE SMELL IN HERE, AND THE MOULD AND MILDEW THAT'S GOING TO COME, DEFINITELY WILL. WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE LAST FEW DAYS IS THE AMAZING RESILIENCE OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH SUCH A TERRIBLE SITUATION, WHERE THEY'VE LOST EVERYTHING. IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA, ANYWAY, YOU WOULD HAVE NOTICED THE YELLOW STICKERS. THEY DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TIME TO STAY IN THOSE HOUSES. WE'RE STARTING TO GET REALLY BAD SMELLS. IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THEIR HEALTH. I KNOW A LOT OF THE PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY SLEEPING IN OTHER PLACES BUT COMING BACK TO THE HOUSES DURING THE DAY, JUST TO TRY AND SALVAGE WHAT THEY CAN. THEY JUST NEED ` I THINK SOMEONE SAID IT THE OTHER DAY ` JUST SOME PLACE THAT THEY CAN LOCK, YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY CAN FEEL SAFE AND THEY CAN LEAVE THESE THINGS AND GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS, SORT OUT ALL THIS OTHER STUFF. INSURANCE, IF THEY'VE GOT INSURANCE ` A LOT OF THEM DON'T HAVE INSURANCE. YOU KNOW, JUST A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN GO BACK AS A BASE. EVERYONE I'VE SPOKEN TO TODAY HAS SHOWN SUCH BRAVERY IN THE FACE OF SOMETHING SO TERRIFYING. THEY'VE GOTTEN THROUGH THE FLOOD. THEY'RE CLEANING UP TODAY. THEY KNOW WHERE THEY'RE SLEEPING TONIGHT. BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF THEM KNOW WHAT TOMORROW'S GOING TO BRING. (APPLAUSE) THIS IS THE PROJECT. PATRICK GOWER IS HERE. (APPLAUSE) WELCOME TO AUCKLAND, PADDY. I HAVE TO PUT MY HAND UP AND SAY I WAS AWAY IN A TROPICAL PARADISE OVER THE WEEKEND, SO I MISSED ALL OF THIS. I WAS IN THE HUTT VALLEY. 29 DEGREES, AFTER TRAVELLING OUT OF AUCKLAND DURING THE LOCKDOWNS, ESPECIALLY THE LAST LONG ONE LAST YEAR, IT WAS VERY SAD COMING BACK INTO THE CITY TODAY, AND HAVING THE APOCALYPTIC FEEL. I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ALL AUCKLANDERS AND SAY TO WHATEVER GODS ARE UP THERE, GIVE AUCKLAND A BREAK. PLEASE DO! I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE I MET TODAY. NOT JUST THE RESIDENTS, WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE UNIMAGINABLE, BUT THE VOLUNTEERS, NEIGHBOURS EVERYDAY HEROES. WE ARE ALL GOING, WHAT IS THE WEATHER FORECAST? THEY ARE JUST GETTING STUCK IN. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO THINKS ANOTHER SEVEN DAYS OF SCHOOL IS A GOOD IDEA, APART FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION? WE GOT THAT AT 4 PM. THEY HAVEN'T GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE SCHOOLS. SCHOOLS LEARN THROUGH THE MEDIA. PARENTS WANT TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE FLOOD, BUT IS THIS THE WAY TO DO IT? KIDS SINGING, MUM ALMOST BROKEN. ALSO TONIGHT, WITH MORE ROUGH WEATHER APPROACHING, HOW DO YOU GET READY? TURN OFF THE GAS? UNPLUG ELECTRONICS? PREPARE SANDBAGS? WE'RE GOING TO GET THE BEST ADVICE, NEXT. AND A TAURANGA MAN RECALLS AWAKENING TO THE SOUND OF A THUNDEROUS CRASH OUTSIDE HIS WINDOW. WHAT HE SAW NEXT, HE COULDN'T BELIEVE. THAT'S JUST AHEAD. THIS AUCKLAND SCHOOL CLOSURE IS A REAL LAST-MINUTE CURVE BALL, ISN'T IT? LUCKILY, I ACTUALLY LIKE MY KIDS, AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THEM. BUT HARD LUCK FOR THE PARENTS OUT THERE WITH STINKERS. FOR THEM, I HOPE WE CAN CHEER YOU UP WITH THE DAILY DOSE. WE DEDICATE TODAY'S DOSE TO THE KIWI ATTITUDE TO THE AUCKLAND FLOODING. FIRST UP, IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO BE ADAPTABLE. LIKE, IF IT'S TOO WET TO GO SKATEBOARDING, SIMPLY TURN THE SKATEPARK INTO A SWIMMING POOL. LOOKS LIKE FUN. NOTHING LIKE A NICE COOL DIP IN THE CITY'S SEWAGE ON A FINE DAY. NEXT UP, WE HAVE A GROUP OF STRAPPING YOUNG MEN WHO REFUSE TO LET A LITTLE WATER GET IN THE WAY OF THEM FINISHING THEIR WORKOUTS. NOTHING IS GONNA STOP THEM SHREDDING FOR R&V. YEAH! THINK THAT IS A MAKE SURE YOU TOWEL DRY OFF THOSE MACHINES WHEN YOU'RE DONE. FINALLY, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A PSA. IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON FILMING THE FLOODS FROM YOUR CAR, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE WINDOW UP, SO THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO YOU. WE ARE STILL HAVING A MEAN DAY. THERE'S THE CLASSIC KIWI ATTITUDE OF INSISTING ON ENJOYING SUMMER, EVEN WHEN IT'S LITERALLY FLOODING. THAT WAS YOUR DAILY DOSE! FANTASTIC KIWIS. IT'S NOT OVER YET. MORE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO HIT TOMORROW. WITH THE GROUND ALREADY SATURATED, AND DRAINS OVERWHELMED, HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR WHATEVER NATURE HAS GOT IN STORE FOR US NEXT? MODELS WEREN'T PREDICTING THIS. NOT THIS INTENSE RAINFALL. I MEAN, THERE WERE SIGNALS THAT THERE WOULD BE HEAVY RAIN, BUT THIS IS NEXT LEVEL. SINCE FRIDAY, AUCKLAND HAS BEEN DRENCHED WITH AN ENTIRE SUMMER OF RAIN ` ROADS WASHED AWAY, COMMUNITIES CUT OFF. AT LEAST FOUR HAVE BEEN KILLED. WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. WE HAD AN ATMOSPHERIC RIVER, WHICH IS A RIVER IN THE SKY OF ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE, COMING FROM THE TROPICS. WE HAD A LOW-LEVEL JET, A LOT OF WIND. AND OCEAN TEMPERATURES ARE WARMER THAN AVERAGE. THAT THOSE OF MORE VAPOUR. WHAT MADE THINGS GO FROM BAD TO WORSE, AS IT WAS THE SAME AREAS GETTING REPEATED RAINFALL. DOZENS OF HOUSES HAVE BEEN READ STICKERED. THE STORMS HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING. IF YOUR HOME IS COMPLETELY UNINHABITABLE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY RENT. IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN GIVE YOUR LANDLORD TWO DAYS NOTICE TO END YOUR TENANCY. YOUR LANDLORD CAN ALSO GIVE YOU NOTICE TO END THE TENANCY, BUT THEY NEED TO GIVE YOU SEVEN DAYS NOTICE. AS ANOTHER ROUND OF WILD WEATHER HEADS TOWARD US, THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SAYS NOW IS THE TIME TO GET READY. MOVING VALUABLE AND DANGEROUS ITEMS OFF THE GROUND FLOOR, LIFTING UP CURTAINS AND RUGS AND BEDDING, CLEARED DEBRIS AND LET LEAVES FROM THE GUTTERS. IF YOU CAN GET SANDBAGS OR WATERPROOF PLASTIC AROUND DOORS, THOSE CAN HELP. WHERE WATER IS COMING IN, YOU ARE GETTING INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND YOU NEED TO EVACUATE IF YOU CAN SAFELY. AFTER MANY ACCUSED THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF BEING SLOW, TODAY A STARK WARNING AHEAD OF THE NEXT WAVE. THE GROUND IS SO SATURATED, AND THE DRAINS ARE SO FULL, IT COULD BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN FRIDAY. WE HAVE MORE RAIN IN THE FORECAST TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. ANOTHER ATMOSPHERIC RIVER. NOT SURE IF WE WILL GET THE SAME INTENSITY AS FRIDAY, BUT 50 MM OF RAIN OR 100 MM, THAT AMOUNT OF WATER ON SATURATED SOILS, IT HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE. THAT IS THE RISK OF FLOODING AND SLIPS. JOINING US NOW IS AUCKLAND COUNCILLOR RICHARD HILLS. RICHARD, HOW ARE THINGS LOOKING TONIGHT? YEAH, KIA ORA, EVERYONE. WELL, THINGS ARE LOOKING BETTER THAN THEY WERE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. WE'VE HAD AMAZING` I'M DOWN THE SANDY NOOK. WE'VE HAD ABOUT 100 VOLUNTEERS CLEANING OUT ABOUT 40 HOUSES, HELPING PEOPLE HERE WHO'VE ESSENTIALLY LOST EVERYTHING. THE WAIRAU VALLEY IS STILL COVERED IN A LOT OF DEBRIS, AND PLACES LIKE MILFORD AND OTHERS, THERE'S JUST SO MUCH STUFF AND SO MANY PEOPLE WHO'VE UNFORTUNATELY LOST EVERYTHING. AND IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY UPSETTING FOR PEOPLE. BUT WE'RE JUST HOPING THE RAIN DOESN'T COME BACK TO BRING THOSE WATER LEVELS BACK UP. YEAH, IT FEELS LIKE PEOPLE ARE JUST SORT OF STARTING TO GET ON TOP OF THINGS, BUT THEN WHO KNOWS WHAT TOMORROW'S GOING TO BRING. WHAT'S CONCERNING YOU THE MOST ABOUT THE NEXT FEW DAYS? THE CONCERNS ARE JUST THOSE RED AND ORANGE WARNINGS THAT KEEP FLASHING UP. SO TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR A SIMILAR` WELL, STRONG RAIN, MAYBE NOT` HOPEFULLY NOTHING LIKE WE SAW ON FRIDAY. BUT TO ADD EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN ON TOP OF WHAT WE'VE GOT WITH EVERYTHING SATURATED, IT CAN ADD QUITE A LOT OF RISK TO OUR WATERWAYS, AND PEOPLE ARE SO ANXIOUS, AND THEY'RE SO WORRIED. SO IT'S JUST KEEPING PEOPLE KNOWING THAT THEY NEED TO EVACUATE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, BUT THAT ALSO MAKES PEOPLE QUITE ANXIOUS AND UPSET. SO IT'S THAT FINE BALANCE OF WARNING PEOPLE, BUT KEEPING PEOPLE CALM AND DEALING WITH WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. THE GREAT FEAR, AS YOU MENTIONED, IS HOW HEAVY THIS RAIN IS GOING TO BE THAT WE'RE EXPECTING IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS. DO YOU THINK WE'RE PREPARED? WE WILL HAVE A LOT MORE INFORMATION, AND WE'VE BEEN PROMISED THAT THE INFORMATION WILL BE COMMUNICATED ON EVERY CHANNEL, NOT LIKE ON FRIDAY NIGHT. AND SO PEOPLE` IF THERE IS SERIOUS RISK TO PEOPLE, THAT WILL BE COMMUNICATED QUICKLY, AND WE'LL HAVE WARNINGS TO TEXT TO PEOPLE'S PHONES AND ALSO THROUGH THE NORMAL CHANNELS. AND I THINK PEOPLE` JUST BE READY. YOU KNOW, BE AWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING. CHECK IN ON THE FORECASTS, AND TAKE THE WARNING SERIOUSLY. AND PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM WATERWAYS, CLIFFS AND TRACKS UNTIL WE KNOW THINGS ARE SAFE. AUCKLANDERS HAVE A REPUTATION FOR BEING A BIT SELFISH, NOT VERY CONNECTED TO THEIR NEIGHBOURS. WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS? YEAH, I MEAN, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT. I THINK AUCKLANDERS ARE PRETTY AMAZING PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT I REPRESENT, AND SEEING MY COLLEAGUES AROUND THE WHOLE OF THE CITY WORKING WITH PEOPLE JUST COMING OUT` YOU KNOW, I'VE SEEN PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE TO GIVE DONATIONS, AND AT THE MOMENT, WE'RE SAYING HOLD OFF GIVING THEM TO THE CIVIL DEFENCE CENTRES BECAUSE THEY'RE INUNDATED. SO TALK TO YOUR LOCAL` VERY LOCAL AGENCIES OR PEOPLE IN NEED AND MAYBE HOLD OFF, BECAUSE MORE DONATIONS WILL BE NEEDED. BUT I'VE JUST SEEN AMAZING, AMAZING WORK FROM PEOPLE JUST WILLING TO HELP, JUST PUTTING, YOU KNOW, ELBOW GREASE INTO EVERYTHING AND JUST HELPING OUT STRANGERS. IT'S FAIRLY AMAZING. SO IT'S THE ONE GOOD THING THAT COMES OUT OF SUCH A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE SITUATION. RICHARD, THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT TO US THIS EVENING. CHEERS. KIA ORA. THANK YOU ALL. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. THANKS. (APPLAUSE) JESSE, WHY ARE YOU SAYING AUCKLANDERS AREN'T GOOD? THAT IS OUR REPUTATION AROUND THE COUNTRY. I HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE TODAY, THERE IS ALMOST TOO MUCH GOING ON, FOR PEOPLE KNOWING WHAT TO DO OR WHERE TO PUT IT. IF YOU JUST WANT TO HELP, GRAB THAT ENERGY, SAVE IT, AND SAVE IT UNTIL NEXT WEEK, BECAUSE THEN ALL THE CENTRES WILL HAVE A MUCH BETTER IDEA OF WHAT THEY REALLY NEED, AND THEY WILL HAVE TIME TO COMMUNICATE THAT. DON'T LET GO OF IT. JUST DELAY IT. IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR HOUSE, TURN OFF POWER AND GAS. AND ALSO, DON'T DO WHAT I DID ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND DRIVE THROUGH PUDDLES. YOU ARE SURE IT WILL BE FINE. IT'S NOT FINE IF YOUR CAR DOESN'T HAVE A SNORKEL. YOU MIGHT END UP STUCK. ALL THOSE FLOATING CARS WILL BE WRITTEN OFF. A LOT OF ALLAH TRONICS AND CARS. AND A LITTLE PG TIP. I JOKED ABOUT COMING FROM THE TROPICAL PARADISE OF THE HUTT VALLEY BUT WE COULD BE NEXT. THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO HAVE THREE DAYS OF SUPPLIES. THERE IS NOT THREE DAYS OF SUPPLIES IN MY HOUSE. PEOPLE SHOULD AT LEAST TRY FOR ONE DAY. HAVE SOMETHING READY TO JUST LEAVE. DON'T GET OVERWHELMED BY THE HIGH BAR. ANYTHING WILL DO. MARIE KONDO SAYS SHE'S GIVEN UP. BEST KNOWN FOR CREATING 'SPARK JOY' IN FOLLOWERS OF HER TIDY HOME ROUTINE, SHE NOW ADMITS HER HOME IS MESSY. AND SHE'LL TELL US WHY, NEXT ON THE PROJECT. I'M HERE WITH HAYLEY, FROM PUKEKOHE. SHE LIKES NETBALL. SHE'S GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT'S COMING UP, SO READ THAT! THANKS, JEREMY. WHY HAS THE QUEEN OF TIDY, MARIE KONDO, GONE MESSY? FIND OUT NEXT ON THE PROJECT. WELCOME BACK. AN INCREDIBLE STORY ` A TAURANGA MAN RECALLS AWAKING TO THE SOUND OF HIS NEIGHBOUR'S HOME COLLAPSING ON TO HIS PROPERTY. THAT'S NEXT. BUT FIRST ` MARIE KONDO ADMITS SHE HAS GIVEN UP KEEPING HER HOUSE TIDY. THE ORGANISING QUEEN SHOT TO FAME WITH HER KONMARI METHOD OF REMOVING ANYTHING THAT DIDN'T 'SPARK JOY'. THAT'S ALL CHANGED NOW SHE'S HAD HER THIRD CHILD. SHE SAYS, WITH A BIGGER FAMILY, HER HOUSE IS MESSY, BUT THAT SHE WOULD RATHER SPEND MORE TIME WITH HER CHILDREN. IT GOES BACK TO THE ADVICE, NEVER HAVE MORE CHILDREN THAN HANDS. MOST OF US DADS HAVE THE FORESIGHT TO KNOW THIS WILL HAPPEN. MOST DADS GIVE UP TIDYING UP MONTHS BEFORE THE FIRST CHILD IS EVEN BORN. WAS IT LEGO THAT BROKE YOU, MARIE? I HAVE A RULE FOR MY KIDS. YOU CAN ONLY PLAY WITH LEGO IF YOU PROMISE TO CLEAN UP. AND THEY EVER CLEANED UP? NO. IT IS NICE TO HAVE THE IDEA THEY MIGHT. HOW UNTIDY IS UNTIDY IN HER HOUSE? AS IT ONE SHEET. SHE DOESN'T KNOW UNTIDY. SHE WOULD PROBABLY MURDER ME IF SHE SAW MY LAUNDRY HABITS, WHICH INCLUDE THE CLASSIC IF SOMETHING IS UNFOLDED, AND YOU ARE NOT SURE, IT IS PROBABLY CLEAN, JUST PUT IT BACK IN THE WASH. MY HUSBAND DOES THAT. IT MIGHT BE A DOUBLE MURDER. HERE IS ANOTHER ONE. WITH THE TUPPERWARE, IF YOU THROW THAT IN AND SHUT THE DOOR, THEN GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN, IT CAN COLLAPSE ON SOMEONE ELSE. WHILE AUCKLAND IS FACING MASSIVE DAMAGE, THE RAIN IS SMASHING COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. WE DECIDED TO CHECK IN ON OUR NEIGHBOURS TO SEE HOW THEY'RE HOLDING UP AND HOW THEY'RE PREPARING FOR ANOTHER DELUGE. IN THE TAURANGA SUBURB OF MAUNGATAPU, MICHAEL GERBES AWOKE TO A NIGHTMARE. THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS, THUNDEROUS THUMP. WE WERE FAST ASLEEP. THE OTHER HALF GOT KNOCKED OUT OF BED. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS HAIL. I THOUGHT WAS A HAILSTORM. THOUGHT, 'JEEZ, THE ROOF IS COMING IN.' AND THEN IT JUST WENT QUIET, LASTED MAYBE FIVE OR SIX SECONDS, AND THEN JUST HEARD SCREAMING. SO WHAT HAD ACTUALLY HAPPENED WAS THE NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE IS UP ON STILTS AND THE WHOLE HOUSE HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETELY REMOVED AND WASHED STRAIGHT DOWN THROUGH THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE. THEIR FRONT DOOR, WHICH WAS A GOOD PROBABLY 30, 40 METRES AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE, IS NOW SITTING PAST OUR HOUSE ON TOP OF OUR VEHICLES AND INCLUDING THEIRS. THE FRONT GARAGE IS COMPLETELY WIPED OUT, EVERYTHING IN IT. BUT THE NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE IS ABSOLUTELY GONE. FURTHER NORTH, FLOODWATERS HAVE LEFT THE WAIMARINO ADVENTURE PARK WITH A HUGE CLEAN-UP JOB. I WAS WALKING UP TO MY BELLY BUTTON IN WATER FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS. WE ALL WENT TO BED SATURDAY NIGHT THINKING IT WAS ALL COMING DOWN AND WE WOKE UP SUNDAY MORNING WITH MORE WATER THAN EVER BEFORE, THE HIGHEST FLOOD EVER. SO AT THE MOMENT WE'RE RECEDING, BUT FOR HOW LONG? WE'LL FIND OUT. THERE IS A LOT OF MUD, A LOT OF DEBRIS, A LOT OF JUST JUNK TO CLEAN UP, WHICH WILL TAKE QUITE A WHILE. WE'LL BE GETTING ALL THE CREW IN, ALL OF OUR TEAM, AS WELL AS WE'VE GOT A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE BEEN SAYING, 'HEY, WE'D LIKE TO COME IN AND HELP YOU OUT.' IN THE WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY ` TRAINS DERAILED, BRIDGES WASHED OUT. PARTICULARLY IN TE PUKE HERE, THERE'S THE KIWIFRUIT SEASON IS ALMOST UPON US FOR PICKING. SO THAT BRIDGE IS A CRITICAL PIECE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. ACROSS THE UPPER NORTH ISLAND, ROADS WRECKED BY THE STORMS COULD TAKE WEEKS, EVEN MONTHS, TO REPAIR. THE COROMANDEL IS CUT OFF WITH STATE HIGHWAY 25 CLOSED AND THE 25A BETWEEN KOPU AND HIKUAI WASHED OUT. THE BIGGEST WORRY NORTH OF AUCKLAND IS BEING ISOLATED. THE MAIN ISSUE AND CONCERN FOR WHANGAREI, AS WELL AS NORTH NORTHLAND, HAS ACTUALLY BEEN THE BRYNDERWYNS AND THE FACT THAT THEY'VE BEEN CLOSED AND SHUT DOWN FOR THE LAST THREE DAYS. AND IF YOU'VE GOT A SHUT STATE HIGHWAY ONE, THAT MEANS ALL THE TRUCKS HAVE GOT TO USE OTHER ROUTES. PEOPLE, IF THEY WANT TO COME NORTH, HAVE TO USE OTHER ROUTES. NOW, A LOT OF OUR LOCAL ROADS CAN'T HANDLE THE HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE BIGGEST IMPACT THAT WE'VE HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT THAT WE'VE HAD IS THE SLOWNESS OF GETTING PRODUCE UP TO NORTHLAND. AND WITH ANOTHER DELUGE OF BAD WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, THEY ARE BRACING FOR EVEN MORE DESTRUCTION. IT'S REALLY JUST MAKING SURE THAT IF PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO TRAVEL, PLEASE DON'T STAY AT HOME. PLEASE DON'T. STAY AT HOME. A TOUGH SUMMER FOR NORTHLAND. I WANT TO RETURN TO MICHAEL AND HIS FAMILY. HERE IS A BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTO. THEIR CARS ARE THEIR LIFE. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE BIG SLIP. YOU CAN SEE THE CAR BONNET. ADDING TO THE COMPLICATIONS, THE 16 YEAR OLD YOU SAW THERE, HE HAS JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. MICHAEL, THE DAD, WANTED TO SHOUT OUT TO THE SPEEDWAY COMMUNITY, WHO HAVE BEEN AMAZING, OFFERING ACCOMMODATION AND STORAGE AND HELP REPAIRING THINGS. IN MICHAEL'S WORDS, HE HAS SEEN COMMUNITY AT THE TOP LEVEL. I WONDER IF THE NORTH ISLAND SHOULD PACK UP AND GO TO THE SOUTH ISLAND. IT IS 30 DEGREES DOWN THERE. THAT WOULD BE FUN. A NORTH ISLAND ROAD TRIP TO THE SOUTH ISLAND. WE WOULD BE LIKE RELATIVES THEY CAN'T GET RID OF. IT'S TIME FOR BEAT THAT. MOST OF US ARE BACK AT WORK, SO FOR OUR THEME THIS WEEK, WE WANT TO SEE YOU DESTROY AN OLD KEYBOARD. UP FIRST IS WILLIAM, AGED 10, WHO GOES A LITTLE ABOVE AND BEYOND WITH THE WHOLE LAPTOP. HOPEFULLY IT WAS ALREADY BROKEN. GOOD BOY. GREAT STUFF, BUT ZAC REALLY CAPTURED WHAT WE ALL WANT TO DO SOMETIMES. (LAUGHTER) ZAC, WE FEEL YOU. IT'S NOT THE KEYBOARD, IT'S THE INPUT. THAT'S VERY RELATABLE. GET CREATIVE, AND YOU COULD BE TAKING HOME THIS TECH PACK FROM LOGITECH, WHICH INCLUDES A BRAND NEW POP KEYBOARD, MATCHING MOUSE AND WIRELESS HEADPHONES. HEAD TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO ENTER, AND DON'T FORGET TO RECYCLE YOUR E-WASTE. FROM THE HEIGHT OF A TALL BUILDING. EXPLODE IT SOMEHOW. PROBABLY NOT WATER DAMAGE. WATER DAMAGE IS BORING. CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING. THERE'S MORE TO COME ON THE PROJECT. (DEVICE CLICKS AND BEEPS) (SIREN WAILS) Heya. Oh, no, the goose is getting me! MAN OVER RADIO: Car 51. Yeah, CMH One Alpha receiving. Hey, look, reason I pulled you over is you've been speeding. MAN: I was only a few k's over. WOMAN: Same speed as everyone else. Come on, bro! I wasn't going that fast. How about you catch some real criminals? A few k's over. I'm not hurting anyone. (HORN BLARES) Hey, look, reason I pulled you over is you've been speeding. (GENTLE MUSIC) WELCOME BACK TO THE PROJECT. BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT, WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS TO DO WHILE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL ` NOT FUNNY, JUST COOL. ALL YOU NEED IS A PACK OF SKITTLES AND A JUG OF HOT WATER. HERE'S THE SKITTLES. NOW JUST ADD HOT WATER, AND HERE COME THE IMPRESSED CHILDREN. IT STARTS TO SWIRL AND IMPRESSES THE KIDS. THAT WILL KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED FOR MINUTES. THAT'S KINDA WHAT MY FACE LOOKS LIKE WHEN I WASH MY MAKE-UP OFF AFTER THE SHOW. A MIXTURE OF COLOURS. THE COST OF LIVING IS GETTING HARDER TO MANAGE BECAUSE OF THE COST OF LEARNING. LOTS OF KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL THIS WEEK. UNIFORMS ALONE PRICED AT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. WE'LL LOOK AT HOW TO SAVE MONEY TOMORROW NIGHT. THAT'S IT FOR US. THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR, CONTACT, AND THANKS TO PATRICK GOWER FOR JOINING US TONIGHT. 'THE BLOCK AUSTRALIA' IS NEXT. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. SEE YOU TOMORROW. CAPTIONS BY JAMES BROWN, SOPHIE PEARCE AND COURTNEY SOLE.