Towns have been cut off and multiple evacuations took place as heavy rain continues to lash the top of the South Island.
Evacuations were carried out in Nelson/Tasman on Friday night after a stream breached its banks.
About 20 homes in the coastal settlement of Riwaka, northwest of Nelson, were evacuated. A Civil Defence Centre has been set up at the Motueka Recreation Centre.
Nelson/Tasman Civil Defence on Saturday morning opened a welfare centre at Founders Heritage Park. Staff are on hand now to provide a warm, dry place for people who have evacuated, as well as trained support staff.
There is also no easy access to Blenheim at present, due to a road closure on State Highway 6.
It comes as rain is continued to batter the region this weekend.
"A moist northerly airstream is expected to bring further heavy rain to Nelson and Marlborough today and into Sunday," MetService said.
The earlier weeks' rain watches and warnings across the North Island have been lifted but still remain in force for northern and western parts of the South Island.
An orange heavy rain warning is in place for Tasman from Motueka westwards until 3pm on Sunday with a further 110 to 160mm of rainfall expected about the ranges and 70 to 100mm near the coast.
Marlborough about and north of the Awatere Valley and Nelson/Tasman south and east of Motueka are under an orange heavy rain warning until 9pm on Sunday. A further 70 to 100mm of rain is expected to fall, with the largest accumulations about the ranges, in addition to what has already fallen.
Road closures
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is urging drivers to take extreme care on the roads as heavy rain closes highways across the top of the South Island.
Contractors are responding to multiple incidents across the network as they occur, Waka Kotahi said.
Waka Kotahi regional manager for lower North Island/top of the South Mark Owen said SH60, between Tākaka and Collingwood, has reopened after earlier being closed by flooding.
"That's good news for locals, but problems remain with localised flooding and slips affecting the highway at multiple locations between Tasman and Tākaka. Temporary speed limits and lane closures are in place," Owen said in a statement.
Meanwhile, SH6 remains closed between Havelock and the Rai Valley. This means the only route between Marlborough and Nelson is via State Highway 63 and St Arnaud.
"A slip on State Highway 6 near Spooners Tunnel has reduced the highway to one lane. Our contractors also say fog means visibility in the area is bad.
"We are also closely monitoring an old slip on State Highway 6, Atawhai Drive," Owen said.
With the bad weather set to continue next week, Owen urges drivers and residents to be ready for the current conditions to continue.
"Unfortunately, the weather will be problematic for a few days. With the ground already saturated, there’s a real risk of more slips, flooding and road closures. If you are on the roads, drive to the conditions," he said.
"If you can, please delay any non-essential trips, and if conditions are unsafe, please stay home."
Future forecast:
According to MetService, the rain band affecting the top of the South Island is expected to move back eastwards next week bringing heavy rain back into northern and western areas for another drenching.
MetService's extended forecast:
Monday
North Island: Scattered showers about northern half, mainly fine elsewhere. South Island: Rain in the west, with some heavy falls, and scattered rain spreading east at times.
Tuesday
North Island: Rain spreading east, some heavy, but easing or clearing in the north late. South Island: Rain for most, with some heavy falls in the west and north. Rain easing in Canterbury and Otago later.
Wednesday
North Island: Rain or showers for most, but mainly dry for Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. South Island: Rain then showers for most. Cold southerly change bringing snow to about 500 metres.
Chatham Islands
Mainly fine on Monday, a few showers on Tuesday, and rain on Wednesday with gale northerlies.
