The Marlborough Emergency Management response is winding down and transitioning to a recovery phase.

The Civil Defence Centre at Stadium 2000 has now closed.

Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor said the many response agencies, working under the unified command of Marlborough Emergency Management, had done a great job.

“I’m really proud of the hundreds of people who worked selflessly on behalf of the community to keep everyone safe. Many of the people participating are volunteers. The response was very well managed and all the agencies worked seamlessly together.”

“Giving an early warning to exposed communities in Spring Creek and Renwick was the right thing to do. It’s not an easy call, especially when the rainfall predictions are unclear, but the emergency management team took the precautionary approach.

“While there is ongoing roading damage and surface flooding, these will be addressed by individual agencies such as [the] council, Marlborough Roads and NZTA over the coming days and weeks. The council’s rivers (flood protection) team will immediately begin a project to fix the compromised stopbank at the Waihopai/Wairau rivers confluence.

“Regarding Spring Creek, an $8.7m construction programme was agreed with the community in May last year, which includes $3.6m [of] funding from central government. The project involves major groundwork, which will commence over the summer period from November 2025. During this period, rock and materials will be stockpiled near the site, temporary infrastructure like haul roads will be built, and other preparations made, to maximise the stopbank construction window in November 2026.”

Acting Nelson Bays area commander Senior Sergeant Martin Tunley said one person has died following an incident in Wai-iti, southeast of Wakefield, today.

"Around 9.40am, emergency services were called to a property on State Highway 6 after a person was reportedly hit by a tree while clearing flood damage."

Despite efforts by emergency services, the person died at the scene, Tunley said.

Police extended their condolences to the family at this difficult time.

The incident comes as a local state of emergency declaration remains in place for Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough after heavy rain led to widespread flooding.

Dozens of households were forced to evacuate on Friday due to rising floodwaters in the regions.

Overnight, the Motueka Emergency Assistance and Information Centre assisted 16 people, housed three and provided alternative accommodation to six others.

"The number of people who self evacuated to friends and family is unknown at this stage," Nelson Tasman Civil Defence said.

Treble Cone kicked off its 2025 winter season today with 25cm of fresh snow blanketing the top of the Home Basin. 

Six eager skiers and snowboarders claimed first chair and "Bragging Rights" tees at the Wānaka ski area. 

"It's been the most incredible morning in the snow, seeing locals and visitors alike get amongst for TC's Opening Day," said chief mountains officer Laura Hedley.

- Reporting by Ben Tomsett

Haybales, apple bins, logs and other debris have washed ashore – and a cow has been spotted in the incoming tide – in Motueka this morning.

Heavy rain caused flooding across much of the top of the South Island yesterday, with river levels now dropping as the wet weather eases.

However, beachcombers at Raumanuka & Motueka Sandspit, known locally as The Kumaras, this morning discovered the beach covered in debris, with bins floating in the water and a haybale washed ashore.

"Such a shocking mess on the beach ... and there was a poor cow still alive in incoming tide, so sad", a Motueka resident told the Herald.

"It wasn't swimming, was exhausted. The farmer came down while we were there looking for any cows."

She was unsure of the cow's fate.

- Reporting by Cherie Howie

The Otago Regional Council has released the below statement:

The Otago Regional Council is closely monitoring as forecast heavy rain falls in parts of Otago with a heavy rainfall warning and snow watch still in effect for Otago.

ORC Flood Duty Officer Ann Conroy says "River levels are rising, but have not yet peaked in North Otago, and the Dunedin and Clutha area. Flood infrastructure is doing its job and performing as expected. There were no significant issues overnight and surface flooding and ponding are likely in lower lying areas. We are ready to respond to any issues that arise will continue to closely monitor river levels."

Coastal Dunedin bore the brunt of rainfall overnight – approximately 25-50mm, with other parts of Otago getting 20-50mm. Rainfall has eased in North Otago but Dunedin could see a further 20-30mm and 30-40mm for Clutha.

Rivers are rising and we’ll be keeping a close eye on the low lying areas which could potentially be affected, including parts of the Tokomairaro floodplain such as Milton, the Lower Taieri floodplain including Henley, the Lower Clutha floodplain and Middlemarch.

The Water of Leith and Lindsay Creek in Dunedin are not expected to overtop their banks.

The Silver Stream near Mosgiel is expected to peak at about 90-100 cumecs on Saturday afternoon.

The Taieri River at Outram is expected to peak this evening at about 400-600 cumecs. 

Flooding of the unprotected areas downstream of Outram is likely.

The Clutha River at Balclutha is expected to peak at around 1900 cumecs on Sunday morning. Flooding is likely in low lying areas adjacent to the river upstream of Balclutha, and unprotected areas downstream of the township on the Clutha delta.

"At this stage, we do not expect widespread issues from the rain, but conditions can change and we will monitor closely. Communities in affected areas should stay up to date with conditions. Should the situation worsen, we are ready to act."

Periods of heavy snow above 400 metres are also forecast for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, also inland Dunedin and Clutha during Saturday.

Here's another update from Clutha District Council on the situation there:

It's currently looking like the worst of the weather is around the more coastal areas.

Our contractors now have three crews out assessing the network and signing out flooding. One crew is heading to Milton, another to Kaka Point then Tuapeka Mouth with the third on the way to Lawrence.

At this stage we are placing signs on the worst areas of flooding but as conditions can change quite quickly over such a large network there will be locations that worsen before we get to them.

As always, road users need to drive to the conditions and avoid driving through areas of flooding due to the risk of hidden hazards.

As of 12pm we know of the following roads affected:

Surface flooding:

• Elliotvale Rd
• Back Road Milton
• One Tree RoadCross Road (West Otago)
• Tuapeka Mouth Road
• Berwick Road
• North Branch Rd
• Limeworks Rd
• Gormack St (by Moir St intersection)
• Gabriels Gully Rd
• Coutts Gully Rd

Road to be closed due to flooding:

• Karoro Creek
• Young Rd/Lake Rd (Berwick)
• Allison Rd

"SH87 between Outram and Kyeburn is now OPEN," the NZTA has posted on X.

"Following the snow this morning, all state highways in the region are open.

"Take extra care as winter driving conditions remain. "