The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) and The Earthquake Commission (EQC) are encouraging New Zealanders affected by severe weather tracking over the North Island to contact their insurer.

Napier was struck by flooding and landslips last week. Torrential rain forced dozens of people out of their homes, left hundreds without power and prompted a local State of Emergency to be declared.

The storm affected more than 100 homes and left 16 "uninhabitable", according to Fire and Emergency NZ, with the event described as "a 1-in-250 year event".

ICNZ says the “relatively contained nature” of the damage in Napier means insurers will notify EQC to support any claims related solely to land damage such as slips or resulting silt or debris from either landslips or floodwaters.