Wild weather hammered the South Island and the bottom of the North Island over the weekend bringing flooding, slips and road closures.
The Timaru District remains in a state of emergency with road access north to Christchurch blocked by damage to two bridges crossing the Rangitata River.
Hundred of tourists were left scrambling to find accommodation in the region last night. In Wellington State Highway 58 over Haywards Hill remains closed after the region was hit by thunderstorms and heavy rain.
On the West Coast 970 people are stranded in Franz Josef after heavy rain cut access to the small town.
Heavy rain battered much of the West Coast since Friday, causing major road slips to a 350 kilometre stretch of State Highway 6 between Hokitika and Haast.
RNZ reporter Conan Young flew in to Franz Josef from Hokitika on Sunday.
