Heavy rain on the 14th to the 16th followed a period of prolonged rain that had been falling since the new year. Flooding caused great damage to the country districts about Auckland and the Waikato.

Farmers suffered, with hay, oat and potato crops worth thousands of pounds destroyed.

Railway communication was interrupted in various places, bridges were swept away and low-lying land was under water. Railway communication from Auckland to Franklin Junction on the Waikato line was interrupted along with the line between Pokeno and Huntly. The Waihi branch and the Thames-Taumarunui lines were both interrupted.

The main streets and yards were under water.

Streets and yards were under water. The main street was partially submerged for an hour on the 15th but no damage was done.

A number of oat and hay crops in the district were ruined. Great damage was done to orchards and low-lying lands.

The area around Kaitaia was under water on the 15th.

Fences and bridges were washed away. The bridge over the Mangawhero was washed away which connected Herekino, Ahipara, Pukepoto and other settlements. It caused great inconvenience to the settlers in those places.

There were tremendous floods all over the country in Kawakawa.

There was 5-6 ft (1.52-1.83 m) of water over the railway line between Oropa and Taumarere.

The store at Kirikopuni was submerged.

The township and the mill were flooded.

Reports from Mangakahia stated that the floods were the highest on record. Hundreds of acres were submerged.

The oat crops in the Maunu district were damaged.

The Maunu Road was damaged.

The flood in Tangiteroria was the highest since 1873.

All the flat lands were under water and the damage was extensive.

Water was 8 ft (2.44 m) over the public wharf.

Several hundreds of pounds of damage was caused. The flaxmill was under 6 ft (1.83 m) of water and much of the flax and fibre was swept away. The machinery was also damaged. A store was submerged.

The flood was the greatest ever known in the settlement. Water rushed over the flats and levelled fences.

Great damage was done to the earthworks of several roads.

The Utakura Valley was a sea of water for eight miles (12.9 km).

The floods caused damage to crops.

All settlements on the banks of the Wairoa River suffered from flooding more or less.

It was the largest flood in the Wairoa River since 1873.

Whangarei recorded 2.5 in (6.35 cm) of rain in three days from the 12th to the 14th.

All low-lying land was deeply inundated and flooding occurred from Waipu to Mangakahia and Kiripaka.

The railway service between Auckland and Rotorua was completely blocked at many points. A serious interruption occurred between Manurewa and Wairangi. For a distance of 40 miles the railway line was underwater. Several washouts occurred, one of which was below Paerata. For about quarter of a mile the line had been washed out underneath the rails to a depth of 2-3 ft (0.61-0.91 m). In many places the track was under water to a depth of 3-4 ft (0.91-1.22 m). Between Papakura and Hunua the line was covered to a depth of about 4 ft (1.22 m). Between Papakura, Drury and Runciman there was a considerable quantity of water over the rails.

Crops were damaged and in some instances completely ruined.

Roads in several districts suffered to some extent by washouts and the washing away of a number of culverts and small bridges.

A portion of the Great South Road known as Love Hill was impassable for vehicular traffic. An overflow from St. John's Lake covered the road to a depth of 4 ft (1.22 m). By the 19th a miniature lake had formed at Ellerslie with the Great South Road at its centre. The depth ranged from 4 to 12 ft. The water covered a distance of 5 to 6 chains (100-120 m).

Fruit growers at Birkenhead suffered severely. Thousands of plums and apples were rotting on the ground.

There was a large amount of damage in the district to crops, fences, roads, bridges and in some instances stock has suffered.

One of the traffic bridges was washed away.

Clevedon was flooded. The Wairoa River was at its highest on the 15th and it was one of the largest floods that had ever taken place in the district.

The main bridge over the Wairoa River was swept away and it was estimated to cost £300 ($440,900 2010 dollars) to replace. Shaw's bridge was also carried away.

A good number of pigs and calves were washed down the river.

Several people had to be rescued from their houses in boats.

Considerable damage was done to the roads and bridges.

The highest flood in living memory occurred in Drury and some homes were evacuated.

On the 15th the railway embankment was washed away in places and the rails suspended in the air.

Water was 1 ft (0.3 m) over the Drury traffic bridge on the Great South Road while the road approaching it had 3 to 4 ft (0.91-1.22 m) of water on it.

Slippery Creek overflowed its banks and flooded adjacent country several feet deep.

An immense amount of damage was done to crops in the East Tamaki district.

Fruit, potato and hay crops suffered severely from the flooding.

All low-lying land in Kingsland was inundated and two houses were surrounded by flood waters.

The grain crop was mostly destroyed. Oats and wheat and potatoes were destroyed.

Mauku was isolated. Three bridges along the main road were washed out, and there was hardly a farm that had not suffered the loss of a bridge or a culvert.

The Mauku Stream rose 10 ft (3.05 m) on the 15th. There was more water than the oldest resident in the district had ever seen.

As rain fell all creeks and ravines became raging torrents.

Great damage was done to the railway line at the Papakura settlement. The railway line between Papakura and Hunua was flooded on the 15th preventing traffic.

Just outside of the settlement three small traffic bridges were washed away.

One mans orchard of 28.5 acres was covered by 4 ft (1.22 m) of water which damaged a number of trees while the wind and the rain stripped a large portion of the fruit off.

A large tract of land was under water up to a depth of 2 ft (0.61 m).

Much damage was done to crops.

Old settlers said this was the biggest flood they had seen since their arrival in the colony.

It was estimated that it would take £900 ($132,300 2010 dollars) to repair several bridges which were washed away and culverts which were washed out.

The Maketu bridge was shifted a short distance by flood waters.

The telegraph wires also suffered. Communication between Ramarama and Drury, Ararimu South, Hunua, Paparimu, Ardmore and Clevedon was cut on the 15th.

All crops were much damaged with some swept away and the remainder laid low.

Flood waters did not cerate so much damage as in other places.

The black bridge on the Karaka Road was washed out and Sutton's bridge on the road to Hunua was badly damaged.

All of the creeks were vast lakes, some of them six chains (120 m) wide. There was almost total destruction of all the bridges from Kohekohe to Waiuku on the main road and also those on the by-roads. The oldest settlers could not recall such a destructive flood.

There was heavy damage to oat, potato and turnip crops.

Numerous bridges were carried away, no less than ten going in the Waipipi road district alone. The Waiuku South bridge was greatly damaged.

A large area of land was underwater.

Vast areas of land throughout the Waikato flooded especially around the Waikato River. The Thames, Kauaranga and Piako Rivers were also in very high flood and much low-lying land was flooded. The Piako swamp between Paeroa and Tahuna was completely flooded.

The main railway south from Auckland was flooded south of Pokeno to a depth of up to 4.5 metres. The passengers were transferred by boats to Taupiri. Hamilton was cut off from Auckland for some time. Railway traffic on the Waihi branch and between Thames and Morrinsville and Pokeno and Ngaruawahia was still interrupted by slips and washouts on the 19th. The principal damage to the main line was between Ngaruawahia and Pokeno.

Stock and crop losses were heavy. A tremendous lot of damage was done to the crops between Hamilton and Matamata, the greater portion being completely destroyed. Thousands of pounds were lost in crops.

Water on the flooded properties of the Waikato subsided in a majority of places on the 17th but the Waikato River was still running strongly and very high.

The damage in the Waikato district was very serious. A large number of bridges were washed away and the main roads rendered impassable, communication with the country districts being in many cases cut off. The No.1 bridge on the Hamilton-Ngaruawahia Road was wrecked. The old Alexander bridge, across the Waipa collapsed along with the Hocka bridge on the road to the Matangi station.

The settlement was half covered with water.

The pumping station was flooded and the water supply to Hamilton was disrupted.

Several householders on low-lying land had to evacuate their homes.

At Hamilton the Waikato River reached a level 20 in (0.51 m) above that of 1875.

The Hikutaia River overtopped the banks and flooded the whole district.

The Horahora settlement below Rangiriri was covered by flood waters.

Many of the houses in Huntly were half under water although there were some that were high and dry. On the opposite side of the river (Huntly West), where there is low land, the water flowed all over it. The Maori village there was more than half inundated. On the 15th and 16th residents had to be rescued by boat.

Huntly was isolated. The railway was badly blocked and damaged on each side. The road between Huntly and Taupiri was blocked to traffic. The line between Huntly and Pokeno was still covered with water to the extent of 12 to 15 ft and was impassable on the 23rd. Trains were run down to Pokeno where a steamer was taken to Huntly and from there trains were taken further south.

The water in most low-lying part was over 6 ft (1.83 m) and those whose properties faced right on the river were flooded out of their homes.

The Karangahake River was in the highest flood for years.

A considerable portion of the New Zealand Crown Mines water race was washed away, while the water entered the battery itself.

There were floods in the rivers including Marakopa River. Much damage was done to the roads through slips. Kawhia was cut off from road communication for several days.

The Komata River overflowed and covered a good many acres in a short amount of time.

The township was covered with 10 ft (3.05 m) of water.

The footbridge across Tarariki Creek was swept away.

At Mangaiti the water was over the railway for nearly half a mile.

The roads in the Mangatawhiri district were seriously damaged and communication was difficult for some time.

Roads were seriously damaged in Matamata. The Paengaroa-Matamata bridge was swept away.

There were heavy stock losses in the area. One settler lost 164 sheep, which were washed away from the paddock.

It was the highest flood known for the last 20 years in this part of the country. Large tracts of the Gordon Settlement, Manawaru, Wardville, Waharoa, and Walton were submerged while many bridges in Gordon, Peria and Waitoa were washed away. Roads all over this locality in some places were swept into the creeks and rivers.

At Walton and Kiwitahi large sections of the railway line were removed by the flood. In the Waharoa settlement many of the wharves and buildings were surrounded with water. Crops were extensively damaged.

Flood water was surging through the Mercer rail tunnel.

The peak discharge of the Waikato River at Mercer was estimated at 60,000 cusecs (1699 cumecs). The Waikato River at Mercer was still rising on the 20th of January.

Mercer was a scene of utter desolation and isolation.

Flood waters were so high that it was up to the middle of the houses adjoining the river.

The flood was the highest on record at that time.

The railway was covered by flood water of varying depths from 3.5 ft to 5 ft (1.07-1.52 m) in front of the railway station. The station platform was completely covered.

The wharf which was constructed near the highest point of the township had about 3 ft (0.91 m) of water over it.

The roads were flooded in the township and the Piako bridge was swept away.

Farms at Netherton were still under 3 to 4 ft (0.91-1.22 m) of water on the 18th. Stock was suffering severely and nearly all the crops were ruined.

Water was so high that even on the 18th a boat could still be rowed right across from one paddock to another over fences and all.

Several settlers lost stock.

Flood waters from the Waihou and Piako rivers came in a wave four feet (1.22 m) high and the whole district became flooded. Properties were flooded and all the crops were destroyed.

The damage was estimated by a settler to be between £5000 and £6000 ($734,800-$881,800 2010 dollars).

The silt and tailings that were carried over the paddocks completely killed the grass leaving nothing for the cattle to eat.

The portion between the Waikato and the Waipa River was flooded and about 80 houses were submerged to a depth of 5 ft (1.52 m).

The flood at Ngaruawahia exceeded by 23 in (0.58 m) the high-water mark of the flood of 1875.

The crops, especially potatoes, suffered severely. Between Ngaruawahia and Whatawhata the ground was covered with water and all crops were destroyed.

The road to Waingaro hot springs was badly damaged by water and slips. The road between Ngaruawahia and Whatawhata was blocked by water to a considerable depth.

Ngaruawahia and adjacent places suffered severe hardship. Many families were driven out of their homes by the advancing flood water. Several flaxmills were inundated and the employees thrown out of work.

There was a great deal of damage done to crops such as oats and potatoes.

150 acres of flax in cultivation on the swamp was destroyed.

The Opuatia bridge was washed away. The loss cut the Wairamarama people off.

Low-lying country was flooded.

Water was over the railway rails in Otorohanga for half a mile. A washout occurred on the track between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti.

The Otorohanga township was flooded and several families had to leave their homes due to the rising flood waters.

The bridge was destroyed.

Low-lying portions of the township were underwater and the surrounding district was flooded on the 14th after the Ohinemuri River overtopped its banks. It was the greatest flood that had ever been known in Paeroa.

A good many crops were covered with water and became a total loss. The water was so great that in some cases the potatoes were washed right out of the ground.

Roads throughout the district suffered severely. The estimate of damage to the county roads around Paeroa were £1570 ($230,700 2010 dollars).

A large number of cattle and horses were reported drowned.

Water flowed on to roads and into shops and was up to 3 ft (0.91 m) in places.

Paddocks were submerged and houses were flooded out. Families were moved to higher places in the town.

On the Te Aroha Road there was water in places up to 5 ft (1.52 m) deep. The Opitito Road, from the Junction Road to the Puke Road, was covered with several feet of water. Puke Road was completely covered with water. The road between Paeroa and Karangahake was covered with water in many places.

Railway traffic was completely paralysed. The line between Paeroa and Te Aroha and from Paeroa to Thames was washed away in many parts. There were slips and washouts along the Paeroa to Waihi line.

The telegraph line between Waikino and Paeroa was carried away.

An immense area of low-lying land between Paeroa and Te Aroha was practically a lake. Several houses were flooded to depths of several feet. At and below Puke the country was covered with water ranging in depth from anything up to 7 and 8 ft (2.13-2.44 m) for miles. Some properties down Mill Road were completely submerged.

The road bridge at Pirongia was swept away.

There was a lot of damage to crops.

Road communication from Pokeno to Auckland was in some places impossible on the 19th. As bridges on the main road were washed away or damaged.

Two important bridges were washed away on the road between Putaruru and Waotu and communication by road to Putaruru was cut off. The bridge over the Waipa Stream was also washed away.

Eight or nine bridges were washed away and the roads were damaged severely.

A huge mass of debris was left all over the country.

The land between the Rangiriri railway station and the town had no less than six metres of water flowing through it.

A number of whares and several houses were almost covered by the floodwaters, the roofs just showing.

A good deal of country around Taupiri was under water.

The peak discharge of the Waikato River at the Taupo outfall was 7350 cusecs (208 cumecs).

A washout of the approaches to the bridge over the Waitoa River blocked the railway line between Te Aroha and Morrinsville.

The settlers on the river flats of the Waihou and Waitoa were heavy losers. There were heavy losses of crops including oats, potatoes and turnips.

The Waihou and Waitoa Rivers were higher than they had been known for 30 years.

Communication by road between Te Aroha and the neighbouring townships was interrupted by the culverts and bridges having been washed out.

Hourahoura Stream rose 20 ft (6.10 m) above its ordinary level, while the water was 15 ft (4.57 m) deep above the traffic bridge on the 16th. The water had not been so high for the last 50 to 60 years.

Three flaxmills were submerged and a considerable quantity of fibre was lost and tons upon tons were damaged. A house was washed down the stream.

All roads in the district were seriously damaged and a number of culverts were washed away.

There was flooding in the streets of Thames. Karaka Stream flooded streets and backyards of adjoining properties.

All trains on the Thames to Waihi lines were cancelled on the 16th.

The township was isolated. The traffic bridge in the main road to Auckland was washed away. The bridge leading from the township to Waikato was also washed away. Water covered most of the roads and caused much damage.

The railway line was damaged and the station was surrounded by 3-4 ft (0.61-0.91 m) of water.

Water entered houses on the outskirts of the town.

All of the crops in the Tuakau district were destroyed.

A flaxmill was partly covered by water and large amounts of flax fibre was lost. Considerable damage was done to other mills buildings, outbuildings and fences in the district. Between Tuakau and Whangarata a large tract of land was covered by water which left a great deal of mud and debris.

Homunga bridge, on the east side of Waihi, was swept away. The Waitete bridge was covered in over 3 ft (0.91 m) of water. Waihi was isolated from the outside world. All communication except by telegraph was completely cut off.

The Waihou River rose higher than ever before and flooded farmland.

Old settlers from Te Aroha said that the flood in the Waihou River was 5 ft (1.52 m) higher than any flood for over 25 years.

The Waikato River was in major flood. Huts, whares, trees and other debris barrelled down the Waikato River. Many low-lying houses, shops, sawmills and flaxmills were all but submerged.

It was the biggest flood of the 20th century for the Waikato River.

One of the supports of the Waikawau bridge gave away and the bridge was impassable.

The town was in darkness on the 15th owing to the electric light being cut off.

The flats around the Waipa River were all under water and the crops destroyed.

Whole roads were washed away in places in the Wairamarama district.

The crops were seriously damaged but no stock was lost.

A man drowned at Whatawhata on the 16th of January. While travelling from a Whatawhata farm to post a letter, his horse supposedly was swept off its feet while crossing a culvert over the Mangapai Creek.

Several bridges were washed away in the district and the roads were cut up badly.

The bridge over the Waipa River at Whatiwhatihoe was covered with water on the 15th and 16th. The water reached a height of 40 ft (12.19 m) above the ordinary level.

The estimated damage to the district through loss of crops and floods amounted to £20,00 ($2,940,000 2010 dollars).

The Whakatane, Rangitaiki and the Te Teko Rivers were in high flood.

The rain did thousands of pounds worth of damage to the oat crops.

At Otamakaokao the stock loss consisted of 100 head of cattle, 200 sheep, 20 draught horses and 50 pigs. The whole district was inundated and the water, which was several feet high, washed into many whares.

At Katikati the potato crop and large fields of oats standing and in stook were ruined.

Most crops were badly spoiled.

Fences were destroyed and large washouts occurred in several parts of the main roads, and culverts and bridges were carried away.

The Kaituna River was in high flood and at the Kaituna bridge the river flowed over the main road for several chains and was 5 ft (1.52 m) deep.

The river broke out to sea at Te Tumu and saved Maketu from a disastrous flood. Two boats were washed out to sea.

The Kaikokopu Road was impassable, a culvert and embankment was washed away.

No serious damage was done, beyond that to the potatoes and maize in low-lying places.

There was a serious washout on the railway line between Ongarue and Waimiha.

A train was derailed due to a washout near Taumarunui causing damage to the engine.

On the Taumarunui railway line the washouts between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti were repaired by the 18th and the train service between Taumarunui and Frankton was resumed.

A portion of the banks of the Whanganui River were damaged by the flood but nothing serious was reported from the surrounding districts.

The Waingawa River was flooded on the 15th. Water was 2 ft (0.61 m) deep over the road at the northern approach of the bridge.