Auckland floods: city begins clean-up after ‘biggest climate event’ in New Zealand’s history

As rain and flooding eases, attention turns to assessing the scale of the damage after four people were killed by unprecedented extreme weather

Insurers say devastating flooding in Auckland was the biggest climate event" in New Zealand's history, as rain eased after days of downpours and a clean-up of the city began.

Friday was the wettest day on record for New Zealand's largest city, with severe rain leading flood waters to sweep through streets and down highways, killing four people. Schools and businesses closed as buildings and roads were ravaged by the deluge. Auckland International Airport was shuttered temporarily, stranding thousands of travellers overseas.