The massive clean up in the flood-ravaged lower North Island continued on Friday under the looming threat of more heavy rain for the region on Saturday.
The residents had some relief after Thursday's overnight rain failed to cause any further serious problems.
Figures have been released showing 2,400 people in the South Taranaki, Manawatu and Wanganui districts were evacuated from their homes this week - with many still unable to return.
Rangitikei District Council chief executive Leigh Halstead says one of its main concerns is finding accommodation for residents of the almost 150 homes in the district which were flooded.
There are still extensive road closures in the district, and power is still off in isolated places, with telephone serivces sporadic.
The bad weather caused has also major delays for commuters travelling in and out of Wellington, with State Highway One near Paekakariki closed for a large part of Friday due to flooding and slips.
A flooded stream on the Paekakariki Hill caused the flooding that left a 20 km back-up of traffic on the highway.
It is the same problem that led to a massive flood in October and has prompted calls for the stormwater situation to be fixed. The local council has committed a $100,000 towards finding a solution.
The Manawatu Gorge, which links the district with the Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa, will be closed for up to a month.
Authorities decided against opening the Manawatu River floodgates on Friday to relieve the pressure on the swollen waters. The decision was a relief to the farmers whose land would have been swamped with the released water.
Meanwhile, the airforce is looking after the township of Whangaehu and regionwide crews are working overtime to repair roads and bridges.
The mayors of the affected districts met in Feilding for the first time on Friday afternoon and Tararua District Mayor Maureen Reynolds says there are still families who remain isolated because of rural road closures.
