RSE worker

Rescued worker stranded for hours on roof as floodwaters rise

Fola Samoa supervises a group of 12 men who work at a Johnny Appleseed orchard in Pakowhai.

He said they were eating breakfast when they realised how bad the flooding had become.

"One of the men, came to me and said 'boss, there's a river come through to our house'," Fola said.

"I walked through to the front door and I was shocked, because our driveway was like a, like a river."

Samoa said it was "like a tsunami" - and reminded them of the devastating tsunami that wreaked havoc in Samoa in 2009.

Samoan seasonal worker dies in NZ road accident

According to New Zealand Police, Mati died following a crash on State Highway 2, Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

Mati, who is a seasonal worker from Samoa, resided in Tauranga.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” Police said in a statement.

A 35-year-old man has been charged with careless or inconsiderate vehicle operation causing death.

He is due to appear in the Tauranga District Court on 26 August.

Two people, suffering moderate to serious injuries were taken to hospital following the single-vehicle smash.