New Zealand authorities say three people have died and at least one more person is missing after record levels of rainfall pounded Auckland, causing widespread disruption.

Friday was the wettest day ever recorded in Auckland, according to weather agencies, as the amount of rain that would typically fall over the entire summer hit in a single day.

On Friday evening, more than 150 millimetres of rain fell in just three hours in some places.

The rain has closed highways and poured into homes.

A state of emergency has been declared for the Auckland region with the nation’s new prime minister, Chris Hipkins, flying to the city on a military plane to assess the damage.

Mr Hipkins described the deluge as “an unprecedented event in recent memory,” and warned Aucklanders to remain indoors if possible.

“Our priority is to ensure that Aucklanders are safe, that they’re housed and that they have access to the essential services that they need,” Mr Hipkins said.

He said a break in the weather could prove temporary, with more heavy rain forecast.

Police said they found one man’s body on Friday evening in a flooded culvert and another man’s body early on Saturday in a flooded carpark.

They said a third man had been reported missing after being swept away by…