Neil Brown

The Ashburton River / Hakatere Bridge on State Highway One re-opened this afternoon after rising flood waters earlier prompted a precuationary closure. The bridge, the river's only state highway… Video, Audio

Residents are waking up to more wet weather today in Canterbury.

There has been widespread surface flooding, and some residents were encouraged to evacuate last night as a precaution in case river… Audio

Heavy rain is hitting the South Island, as wild weather that yesterday wreaked havoc at the top of the country makes its way south.

Heavy rain warnings have been lifted across Northland and… Audio

It has been a year since major flooding hit the Ashburton district.

The event saw the swelled river damage a local bridge and temporarily split the town in half, and many farmers' paddocks ended up… Audio

"Whatever it takes", except, well, no, not really.

Ashburton has turned its back on its famed slogan and has now given up on finding a better one.

At its meeting held via Zoom on Wednesday, the… Audio

While the South Island's West Coast and Marlborough copped the worse of torrential rain and floods over the weekend, there was hint of deja vu in the Ashburton district.

The Ashburton River surged in… Audio

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown says an announcement of $4 million for flood affected farmers is great news, but more will be needed.

Prime Minister yesterday Jacinda Ardern promised the money during a… Audio

A state of emergency will continue for a week in Canterbury's worst-hit flood areas.

It will remain in place in Ashburton, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts but will be lifted elsewhere across the… Audio

Ashburton Bridge reopened to light traffic at 10pm on Tuesday night after flooding caused partial damage.

This followed load testing using a crane and weights, but the bridge will close again between… Audio

The South Island is effectively split in two on Tuesday night, with a key link in state highway one closed.

Ashburton Bridge is out of action with the flood waters of recent days affecting its… Video, Audio

Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown talks to Kathryn about the Ashburton bridge which closed this morning due to "slumping". He says engineers are en route to inspect the bridge and he estimates it… Audio

Ashburton has woken from a nervous night as flooding forced residents to stay packed in case of an emergency evacuation.

The clean up job is now beginning, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will… Audio

Canterbury residents who fled the devastating floods are beginning to return home to pick up the pieces and start cleaning their water-logged properties. There is still the possibility of more rain… Audio

Canterbury Civil Defence regional duty officer Andrew Howe, and Ashburton mayor Neil Brown give Lately an update on the flooding situation across the region. Audio

The only way out of Ashburton to the north tonight is by air, as flood waters inundate roads around the town and locals are urged to hunker down.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown joins Lisa Owen with the… Video, Audio

First this morning, the situation in Canterbury where a second day of heavy rain has swollen rivers to dangerous levels, washed out bridges and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Kathryn… Audio

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown had a sleepless night on Sunday after his district was hit by flooding.

On Monday morning the river was running at 1400 cumecs, when it would usually run at 10.

Brown… Audio

The 'Whatever it Takes' slogan for Ashburton appears to have done its dash.

Ashburton District councillors have unanimously voted to ditch the tired tagline, which is loathed by some and mocked by… Video, Audio