A national state of emergency has been declared after Cyclone Gabrielle unleashed fury across the North Island.

There has been widespread power outages, flooding, slips and damage to properties.

Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says both the prime minister, and the Opposition spokesperson for emergency management are supportive of the move.

He says this is an unprecedented weather event impacting much of the North Island.

This is only the third time in New Zealand history a National State of Emergency has been declared.

Republished by arrangement