‘It’s not over’: Flood toll continues to climb as waters recede

Thursday, 9 July 2026

Floodwater has inundated properties in Kaikōura, washing away roads and bridges across parts of the South Island, with new photos revealing the extent of the damage.

Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle and Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell surveyed the damage from a helicopter on Wednesday and said it was “significant”.

“It’s not over, unfortunately, but we are getting there,” Mackle said.

“Our trip showed significant damage… a lot of bridges washed away.

Helicopter images show the damage at Tyntesfield bridge, Waihopai Valley in Marlborough.

“We know people are eager to return back to normal, we share that desire, but decisions about roads and things can only be made when it’s safe.”

State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura reopened from 5pm on Wednesday, but the highway south of the town will likely remain closed for at least two more days because of damage.

Further afield, residents in Ōamaru and Dunedin were evacuated from their homes on Wednesday night after two landslides, caused by days of heavy rain.

In Waimate, South Canterbury, four people were rescued from a vehicle trapped in shallow floodwaters on Wednesday evening. Police were called to Old Ferry Rd near Morven about 6.35pm. Shift manager Alex Norris said crews assisted the occupants, who were not injured.

Parts of Kaikōura were left under a metre of water and about 60 people were evacuated from their homes overnight on Tuesday after more than a month’s worth of rain fell in just two days, triggering a red rain warning and a state of emergency.

Kaikōura farmer Adam McManaway said the floods had devastated his farm after three rivers that cross it breached their banks in Tuesday’s torrential rain.

“It’s going to take four to six months to actually tidy up and a massive amount of money.”

He was eight days out from milking, and the 20-25 hectares that would have been used for grazing is now covered in water, trees and silt.

McManaway estimates it’s going to cost between $200,000 to $300,000 to clean up, with about $1m dollars in production losses.

Residents of Kaikōura meet at the edge of the floodwaters on Wednesday to check on their properties, and each other during flooding in the north part of the town on SH1.

Members of ECan, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell, and Kaikoura Mayor Craig Mackle went up in a NH90 helicopter to asses the status of the rivers and the damage from the recent weather and rain.

“A commercial farm could probably handle something like this. But just being a husband and wife, the cost is massive.”

Cribb Creek Bridge on the Inland Kaikōura Rd, where two people were rescued from their cars after crashing into floodwaters. Three powerpoles were also washed away causing a power outage.

Marlborough and Canterbury from Ward to Hanmer remain under a heavy rain watch until 6pm on Thursday. Heavy rain is expected, with snow to 900m by midnight and 500m by Thursday afternoon.

In 60 hours, inland areas near Kaikōura recorded up to 340mm while the town received 162.4mm — nearly triple its average July rainfall in just three days.

The severe weather also claimed roads and bridges across the region. Two men escaped with their lives after their vehicles ended up in a flooded river on the Inland Kaikōura Route, SH70, after the approach to Cribb Creek Bridge washed away. One was swept about 100 metres downstream before making it safely to the bank.

About 60 people spent Tuesday night in Takahanga Marae after being evacuated from their homes, and on Wednesday morning were taking stock of the destruction.

Almost 250 homes in the Kaikōura and Marlborough districts were left without power.

Broadhurst looking a little happier less than 24 hours later.

Mill Rd, Kaikōura, resident Dave Broadhurst and partner Denise at their property in the northern part of the flood-stricken town.

The district council said people who had self-evacuated could return home if their property had not been damaged and they were not subject to an official evacuation request.

Dave Broadhurst, who has lived in Kaikōura most of his life, compared the flooding to events nearly 60 years ago.

“I’ve seen plenty of water around in my time,” the 80-year-old said.

“In 1965, we had something very similar to this. The flood in 1993 was very bad as it came through the township…This isn’t as bad as that, thank goodness.”

The creek near his property rose within two to three hours, transforming from a trickle to a torrent at the peak of the downpour. He moved his five horses to higher ground when they were knee-deep in water, while floodwater rose to the doorstep of his home.

“Another foot and it would have been coming inside,” he said.

Mackle said rapid assessments of damage to homes were under way, and it was unclear how many are affected.

Only two assessors had been able to reach the district because of highway closures, slowing the process.

“We’ve only got two guys and we’re blocked off from the rest of the country, so it’ll take a while.”

Back roads around the town were strewn with logs and silt after streams burst their banks.

A number remain closed, including Old Beach Rd north of Kaikōura, where several bridges were damaged. NZTA staff are assessing transport routes, and roads will remain closed until they are confirmed safe.

The small settlement of Peketa, south of Kaikōura, also remains under a temporary boil water notice for drinking, brushing teeth and food preparation.