Thursday’s weather front has caused flooding, washouts and slips across the country. Officials have visited flood-hit regions in the South Island to assess the area and announced support in the mayoral relief fund.
There have been evacuations in Northland, while Nelson is being warned more people may need to leave their homes due to bad weather.
Far North District Council said police were evacuating several Kaitāia residents as a precaution because of flooding.
The council said it was keeping a close eye on Awanui, Moerewa, Rangiahua and Kohukohu, with Kāeo being the worst hit area from the flooding.
People in the area were asked not to travel unless it was essential and with caution to avoid any downed trees or powerlines.
Many of the sewerage systems in the region and in the South Island’s Tasman District were under pressure with immense rainfall this week.
With several State Highways closed due to heavy flooding, the access to Kāeo’s Health Centre has been blocked by the water and the measure is a precaution.
The flood was one of the worst the Far North’s deputy mayor said she had seen in some time. She said if the rain continued, the situation could be very serious by tomorrow.
Anyone who felt they were in immediate danger should dial 111 or if they were not in immediate danger they could dial 105 and they would make the call.
Further down the North Island, in Taranaki, Civil Defence said a large amount of rain had fallen on Mt Taranaki, swelling rivers, with Stony River being of concern.
People are being urged not to wait for official warnings, and instead evacuate to higher ground if they see rising water. Two households had already left their homes as a precaution.
Meanwhile, Wellington council contractors were dealing with two slips – one in Khandallah on Onslow Road and another on Maida Vale Road in Roseneath.
Three homes had to evacuate after the Khandallah slip.
In the South Island, red rain warnings remained in place for Buller, Westland and Nelson District until 10pm. A state of local emergency remains in place for the Nelson-Tasman and West Coast regions.
Heavy rain and flooding had blocked all access between Marlborough, and Nelson-Tasman and the West Coast.
More than 300 people had to leave their homes in Nelson yesterday after a torrent slammed region.
Earlier on Thursday evening more residents had to be evacuated due to slips and high tide fears.
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence controller Chris Choat said about 30 homes around Glenduan, north of Nelson, were evacuated due to growing concern around conditions in the area.
Civil Defence said there may be further evacuations as the deluge not done with the city yet and it was not safe enough for people who had to leave their homes on Wednesday to be allowed back this evening.
Waka Kotahi said State Highway 63 was closed as well as State Highway 6 between Havelock and Hira.
Read more on RNZ’s coverage of Thursday’s weather events:
Discussion about this post