Ben Green and Gary Towler: Civil Defence controllers says driving conditions remain treacherous - Holiday Breakfast

Heavy rain warnings are in full effect across much of the upper North Island ahead of ex-tropical cyclone Hale.

In the Gisborne District, emergency services formed a human chain to rescue three people from a four wheel drive ute that became stranded in a river in Ruatoria last night.

Civil Defence Manager Ben Green told Tim Dower driving conditions remain treacherous.

“There are hot spots already, areas from the highway that are under repair or in the process of remediation.”

It's a similar story on the Coromandel Peninsula, where Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler told Tim Dower several sections of State Highway 25 and local roads are affected by slips and surface flooding.

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