The flood warning system has been activated and drivers asked to avoid travel in Southland after heavy coastal rain throughout the region.
Heavy rain has caused rural road flooding and flooding in towns from the Riverton-Otautau area across through Invercargill, Winton, Mokoreta, Edendale-Wyndham, Gore and Fortrose and Tokanui. There have also been slips in Stewart Island and in the Catlins.
Environment Southland has activated its flood warning system to advise of rising rivers.
"People are asked not to travel if they don't have to," says Civil Defence Controller Angus McKay.
"Drivers need to be aware that there is a lot of surface flooding and contractors are getting signage out and trying to clear any culvert blockages, but they are also running out of signs, so please take care."
Meanwhile, Canterbury has the opposite problem as firefighters battle blazes across the region.
Fires fuelled by strong winds have been reported near Lake Ohau, Domett and Livingstone as of 8:30am on Sunday.
A major forest fire ripping through the Mackenzie Basin has resulted in the evacuation of Lake Ohau Village, with several homes destroyed by the flames.
