Bay of Plenty Civil Defence are declaring a regional State of Emergency for Bay of Plenty.

"A state of emergency lets us act more quickly and get the things we need to respond when lives and property are at risk," says a Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Facebook post.

This includes things such as:

• closing roads or public places.

• undertaking works – for example, earthworks required for stabilising land and properties.

• entering a property to rescue people or save lives.

• removing or securing dangerous structures and material.

• providing first aid, food or shelter.

"Under a state of emergency, you can still go about your normal life if you are not affected, but please stay across updates from your council, civil defence and emergency services."

This comes as mandatory evacuations have been ordered along part of the eastern Bay of Plenty coastline, with the defence force helping evacuate a campground near Ōpōtiki.

Other parts of the Bay of Plenty have also been opening evacuations centres as a precaution for those who may be impacted overnight.

For a list of Tauranga emergency evacuation centres, click here.

For a list of Western Bay of Plenty emergency evacuation centres, click here.

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- RNZ.