Emergency services work to remove the fallen tree. Photo/Ben Fraser

Emergency services work to remove the car. Photo/Ben Fraser

One man, who asked not to be named, said it was a horrible thing for any family to go through.

"What a terrible start to the year, it is shocking to see how the tree has just split like that."

Two trees have also come down on Long Mile Rd, in Rotorua. One has fallen onto a car, but no one was in the vehicle.

A tree has also come down across Sala St, Rotorua.

The two roads are blocked and police ask that people stay away from the area.

Bay of Plenty police ask that people avoid all unnecessary travel and take extreme care if out and about during these weather conditions.

"We also ask that people avoid low lying roads and coastal areas across Bay of Plenty as water levels are high making conditions extremely dangerous."

A large tree has also come down on Whittaker Rd in Koutu and in Owhata a large tree has fallen across State Highway 33 near Banksia Pl, blocking the southbound lane.

The council's website said contractors were also dealing with trees down in Spencer Rd, Tarawera Rd, Whittaker Rd and Totora Rd.

Meanwhile, more than 1000 properties around the Rotorua district are without power and high winds are bringing down trees and debris as a two-day storm tracks across the country.

At 8.30am 830 people in the Rotoiti Forest lost power. Another 618 at Lake Okareka lost power for a short time just after 10am.

People in Broadlands, Kaingaroa and Tumunui lost power overnight and it is yet to be fully restored.

There are 10 power cuts in the Rotorua district.

Slips on Tarawera and Tumunui roads have now been cleared and both roads are fully open.

A police spokeswoman said one of two people in a car that crashed on SH1 near Tree Trunk Gorge Rd and Kaimanawa Rd was taken to hospital with moderate injuries.

Debris, slips or trees/branches down on roads can be reported to the council at (07) 348 4199.

Rotorua Lakes Council's civil defence emergency management primary controller Stavros Michael said the council's after-hours call centre dealt with 12 weather-related calls between 4pm yesterday and 3am.

"We're expecting continued wind and rain today which may affect roads and power supply. We will continue to closely monitor the situation until the weather moves on," Michael said.

Overnight roading crews dealt with a few trees down and there was some surface flooding on Vaughan Rd.

Rotorua's wastewater systems, including the treatment plant experienced heavy inflows through the night but were able to cope with volumes going through the system. Council staff remain on high alert.

A tree came down on Whittaker Rd, Rotorua.