Jetboats struggled against the flow of water through Edgecumbe today.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council is concerned about the integrity of a Thornton floodwall.

Mayor Tony Bonne speaks about the unfolding drama. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Mayor Tony Bonne speaks to Local Focus about the unfolding drama. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Some had to flee without shoes. Made with funding from NZ On Air

Red Cross teams are warning residents to keep safe overnight.

Evacuated Edgecumbe residents face the next three days out of their homes.

The order came around 8.30am - Made with funding from NZ On Air

The order came around 8.30am - Made with funding from NZ On Air

Boy actor James Rolleston has pleaded guilty to causing a crash which left him and his friend seriously injured last July.

The skies are beginning to clear after last night's storm, but the respite may be short-lived, with thunderstorms and more heavy rain forecast for later today.

Heavy rain is expected in the region today and tomorrow.

Years ago, a Maori boy was caught stealing lollies at the local Four Square. A report labelled him a "thug". He was 10 years old, writes Dame Susan Devoy.

Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne is confident in the success of the region, despite a Maxim Institute report projecting population decline in the next two decades. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne is confident in the success of the region, despite a Maxim Institute report projecting population decline in the next two decades. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell discusses what the industrial service centre needs to do to ensure a prosperous future, after a Maxim Institute report forecast population decline in the area in the next two decades. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Kawerau District Council staff are working as fast as they can to unblock drains after torrential rain caused flooding of over a metre.

Two women injured when armed robber fires gun during attempted hold up.

A Whakatane father and his two sons are currently competing in the New Zealand Superbike Championships. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Police are investigating an incident where a member of the public was stopped by gang associates and a shotgun held to his head at Whakatane.

Twelve men have been arrested in relation to a gang clash on the streets of Whakatane, in which shots were fired and people scrambled for cover.

"Pop, pop, pop": A witness to an extraordinary gang clash on the streets of Whakatane has described how frightened motorists ran for their lives.

Shocking footage of the moment shots were fired during a gang clash in Whakatane has emerged.

Police appeal for film of a funeral procession after shots were fired during a gang clash in Whakatane yesterday.

Police arrested multiple people after shots were fired at a Mongrel Mob member Tahu Kingi's funeral procession going from Kawerau to Whakatane.

Multiple arrests have been made after shots were fired at a Mongrel Mob funeral procession in Whakatane.

A brawl between two rival gangs involving weapons broke out during a funeral procession in Whakatane yesterday.

Pak'N Save has apologised after a customer found a fly and its eggs in a packet of mince in a Whakatane store.

Man died after a truck rolled on Thornton Rd in Whakatane on January 1.

Both the holiday road toll and last year's entire toll are the worst they've been in years.