Three Banks Peninsula properties red-stickered, as post-flood building assessments get under way

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

(File photo) A number of properties across the hard-hit Little River and Wainui communities were affected by floods,

Council staff have deemed three Banks Peninsula properties completely unsafe to occupy after last week’s extreme weather event, and restricted access to others.

On Monday, the Christchurch City Council lifted the local state of emergency in place over the peninsula, as it moved into recovery mode following widespread floods and land slips triggered by the heavy rain which had swept across the region.

The council also made a special designation under the Building Act, which meant staff could still perform rapid assessments on buildings believed to have been damaged.

Recovery manager John Filsell said staff had started assessing properties on February 19.

To date, seven had been inspected, he said, “but this may increase as future damage is reported”.

All seven properties had been issued coloured notices under the special designation. Three had been given red placards, which meant a building was considered unsafe, and must not be entered or occupied.

Another three had received yellow placards, which meant access to the building was restricted, while one had been given a white placard, meaning a building could be occupied – but was not necessarily free of damage.

Roads and water supply infrastructure has also been damaged.

The affected properties were spread between Wainui and Little River, two of the communities most severely impacted by the floods, and were on Bossu Rd, Edwards Rd, Reynolds Valley Rd, Montgomery Rd, and Bachelors Rd, staff said.

It was unclear as of Tuesday evening how many of the affected properties were homes, businesses, or other types of buildings.

Across the wider community, other local businesses and landowners were also grappling with lengthy clean-ups and insurance claims. The Little River Café was facing a “complete rebuild” of its interior, which could mean months of closure for the general store and community hub.

Council said on Tuesday the Little River playground was shut due to health and safety issues, and its customer service hub and library – which include local NZ Post services – also remained closed until further notice.