A mudslide in New Zealand's Taihape trapped 20 vehicles, stranding residents and halting rescue efforts due to debris and poor communication.

A mudslide in rural Taihape, New Zealand, has stranded about 20 vehicles after heavy rain blocked a remote back route following the closure of State Highway 1. Limited cellphone coverage hampered communication, prompting a Defence Force helicopter to conduct a flyover to assess the situation and aid potential rescues. Road access remains impossible due to debris, fallen trees, and ongoing landslide risks. Rangitikei District Council and Civil Defence are coordinating response efforts, while around 80 people are sheltering at Winiata Marae. The event is part of widespread severe weather across the North Island, causing power outages, road closures, and evacuations.