Most of New Zealand's East Coast residents forced from their homes have been allowed to return as wind and high seas caused by Cyclone Pam die down.
More than 100 residents on the East Coast left their houses for safety on Monday as former Cyclone Pam moved its way over the region.
But the high tide on Monday passed without significant impact and the forecast heavy rain and severe winds didn't eventuate, says Hawke's Bay Civil Defence.
The weather could worsen overnight, but it appears the region has escaped the severe weather, group manager Ian Macdonald says.
People are being urged to keep safe indoors as the wind could cause minor damage.
Most residents will be able to return home later on Monday night - although 32 Anaura Bay residents are being urged to stay away with heavy swells predicted at high tide early on Tuesday morning.
About 350 people are still without power and six roads will stay closed overnight, due to falling trees, flooding, falling rocks and fallen power lines.
Schools will open as usual on Tuesday, Gisborne's emergency operations centre says.
Rainfall was up to 200mm in 12 hours, the highest figure being recorded at Mata near Tolaga Bay, while winds got up to 145km/h near East Cape.
Pam has been reclassified as an intense ex-tropical cyclone and has weakened substantially from when it caused deaths and severe damage in Vanuatu, but it still packs enough punch to cause problems at the east of New Zealand.
The storm's expected to continue to bring bad weather to Hawke's Bay into Tuesday.
A civil defence emergency has been declared on the Chatham Islands ahead of the storm's arrival.
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