New Zealand: eight still missing after Gabrielle, as authorities eye two more potential cyclones

Wrecked cars lie beside the road in Napier, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, after Cyclone Gabrielle. Eight are still missing, with more wild weather expected. Photograph: Kerry Marshall/The Guardian

New Zealand police are searching for eight people still missing, two weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle struck, as the nation’s weather forecaster said it was tracking two potential cyclones in the region and warned of “localised tornadoes” in parts of the North Island.

Police said early on Sunday: “The remaining number of people includes those who, for a variety of reasons, do not engage with authorities. Regardless, getting in touch with those remaining eight remains a priority for police, and our staff are exploring all avenues to try and locate them.”