Nine were confirmed killed with more missing as New Zealand struck by cylone

18 February 2023 , 22:36

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Thousands in New Zealand have been left homeless or without power (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Nine people have been confirmed killed after a cyclone ripped through part of New Zealand and police continue to search for missing people.

The country's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Cyclone Gabrielle was "the biggest natural disaster New Zealand had experienced this century" as around 10,000 are now believed to be homeless.

Around 10 people are still being searched for, after they went missing following the cyclone. A total of 5,000 people were registered as being out of touch with their relatives in the aftermath of the disaster, according to police.

Among those killed was volunteer firefighter Dave van Zwananberg. Dave began his veterinary career in Devon and was with the Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade on February 13.

PM Chris Hipkins said it was the 'biggest natural disaster New Zealand had experienced this century' (Getty Images)

He went missing after a landslide came tumbling down on the team and his body was recovered on February 15.

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Fire and Emergency chief executive Kerry Gregory said: "It is with great sadness that I confirm that it is our missing firefighter from the Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade. My heart goes out to his family and to his friends and colleagues in the brigade. His death is being felt by our Fire and Emergency whānau right across the country."

Dave's widow Amy told the New Zealand Herald: "Dave will be remembered for his good humour, his authentic care, his astronomic intelligence and supreme competence at pretty much anything he turned his hand to."

Dave van Zwananberg was a dad to two children

At least four people died in landlsips, while two-year-old Ivy Collins dwoned after she was swept off her mum's shoulders as the family of four tried to escape a torrent of water entering their home on Tuesday, February 14.

Ivy's mum Ella said; "Everyone that met her was astounded by her ability to communicate well beyond her years..."

Pregnant with her third child, Ella added: "We all have each other. This tragedy has cost us everything; our home and everything in it, with the water level 10cm from the ceiling everything has been utterly destroyed, our section and our incredible lovingly tendered edible garden... nothing is salvageable.

The death toll is exected to rise (Getty Images)

"But none of that loss compares even close to the loss of our beautiful baby girl."

The Hawkes Bay region on the east coast was badly affected by the cyclone, and 40,000 people in the area were reported to be without power. A total of 60,000 nationwide also have also been hit with the problem.

The country's navy said 26 tonnes of supplies were being sent to the coastal city of Napier.

Deputy Police Commissioner Glenn Dunbier said: "We triage the reports of people that are missing, and clearly those we have heightened concerns for will come to the top. It’s a small number that fluctuates day to day as we find people."

A national state of emergency was declared for only the third time ever as authorities warned that the death toll is likely to rise.

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Benjamin Lynch