Cyclone Gabrielle death toll rises to five as recovery starts

Gabrielle, which hit New Zealand on Sunday before making its way down the east coast of the North Island, cut off entire towns, washed away farms, bridges and livestock, and inundated homes, stranding people on rooftops.

Communication and access to a number of areas remains difficult and surveillance flights are being undertaken to survey the damage and identify those who may be isolated.

"My heart goes out to those families and those who have been in an extraorinary difficult set of circumstance," New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told media. "We will absolutely be focused on doing everything we can to support them," he added.

The New Zealand Police on Thursday said they were investigating the death of a person in Gisborne, who was believed to have been caught in flood waters.

Four other deaths have already been confirmed and police have grave concerns for several other missing people.

Hipkins said the inability for people to get in touch with family and friends was a real issue and the government was working on immediately increasing connectivity.