In Pictures: South Island hit by flooding, wind and snow, hundreds evacuated

NZ Herald

8 Jul, 2026 03:49 AMQuick Read

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Canterbury Fire and Emergency brought in specialist water-rescue teams to assist in the evacuation of residents and pets from a property on Schoolhouse Rd in Kaikōura. Photo / Canterbury Fire and Emergency Management

Significant rain, strong winds and snow have battered the upper South Island this week.

A state of emergency was declared for Kaikōura yesterday, with hundreds of households evacuated after almost 200mm of rain fell in the town in 24 hours.

Flash flooding closed roads in Otago,
North Canterbury, Marlborough and Kaikōura, while snow lingered for parts of the Central South Island.

Heavy rain watches have been upgraded to orange warnings for eastern ranges of Horowhenua, Manawatū and Taihape and Wairarapa until the early hours of the morning.

Canterbury Fire and Emergency brought in specialist water-rescue teams to help in evacuating residents and pets in Kaikōura. Photo / Canterbury Fire and Emergency Management