In other news, hundreds of people have finally managed to leave Franz Josef, after massive slips cut off the tourist hot spot in all directions.
Wild weather over the weekend hammered the West Coast, causing huge landslips - with Franz Josef cut off since Saturday.
But progress is slow on the other coast in South Canterbury - where flood waters are still high since the Rangitata River breached its banks.
There were more evacuations in the Timaru district, as the flooded river threatened 40 more properties.
Nicholas Pointon reports.
