Nelson Region

The region has endured two bouts of severe weather and widespread flooding since late last month

Tasman deluge cut off access points to the national park and it could be sometime before they're restored says Department of Conservation. Audio

Byron McEnroe is counting his blessings despite the complete destruction of an uninsured $80,000 digger.

A path of destruction has been cut through a rural settlement in Motueka Valley, with one local blaming slash, saying "thousands of tonnes of logs and silt" came down. Audio

Powerful floodwaters have displaced families and stunned locals as the Motueka River roared through the valley.

Bridges are gone, roads are destroyed, and some locals have been without water for over two weeks as flood recovery drags on.

Locals say a big clean-up is underway, after the river burst its banks.

A local business owner guided RNZ through the "warzone" caused by a flooded creek.

The Nelson-Tasman region remains under a state of emergency, though the rain has mercifully eased.

Blue Malosso, her husband and their two young kids moved to the Motueka Valley six months ago. Their home was carried off by floodwaters. Audio

A couple who arrived in New Zealand and set up a French patisserie cut a swath of deceit before leaving the country suddenly.

Civil defence has confirmed this week's downpours have matched the devastating 1877 deluge. Audio

Crews have assessed nearly 650 properties after record-setting rain left homes damaged and roads destroyed across the top of the South Island.

Exhausted residents in the waterlogged Tasman district are on edge as they brace for another lashing of heavy rain.

Mobile phone companies say all cell services have been restored in the Tasman District following the latest big storm.

Residents in Brooklyn are being urged to evacuate immediately as the region braces for a new round of heavy rain.

Civil defence Nelson Tasman group controller Alec Louverdis says he is planning "for the absolute worst" ahead of two orange rain warnings across the region.

Steve and Julie live in a house bus and say they lost about $20,000 worth of possessions in the flood.