New Zealand police Superintendent Tony Hill said in a statement that one person was missing at the Abbey Caves, near Whangarei, after a group of high school students got into difficulty.
Local newspaper the Northern Advocate said the student was missing inside one of the caves, which is described as having a canyon-like feel. Police rescue teams are in the area, which has been hit by heavy rain this morning with further rain expected this afternoon.In the country's largest city Auckland, schools have been evacuated, roads and parks are flooded, and people have been told to prepared to leave homes if flash flooding occurs. A local state of emergency has been declared and an evacuation centre has been opened.
"Auckland is experiencing widespread flooding and torrential rain. Please take care and follow advice," said the city's mayor, Wayne Brown. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast to drench the region into the evening and potentially through to midnight.