Floods north of Wellington have been keeping emergency services busy this afternoon.

Several hours of heavy rain have seen storm water systems from Johnsonville to Kapiti fail, and flood waters sweep through properties and across roads.

Trevor Farmer of the Porirua Emergency Management office said the floods have now receded for the most part, but the situation has been a valuable lesson about what not to do when the roads are flooded.

He was alarmed to see children playing in the water, and although no injuries have been reported, he says the situation did warrant extreme caution.

Porirua Station Officer Gerald Twiss said floodwaters reached a metre high in some areas, with reports of cars floating along streets, and damage to properties.

– NewstalkZB