Flood gates have been activated amid rising river levels near Feilding and a key Wairarapa bridge may need to close, as a wet and windy weather system moves up the country.
Horizons Regional Council activated the Makino floodgates this morning to relieve pressure on the Makino Stream after heavy overnight rain.
The gates divert water into the Kiwitea Stream, helping reduce the risk of flooding in Feilding.
Further south, NZTA warned the Waihenga Bridge on State Highway 53 between Featherston and Martinborough could be closed as the Ruamahanga River continues to rise.
A large complex weather trough has been moving across central New Zealand, bringing periods of heavy rain, strong winds and possible snow to higher parts of the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Dom Barry said Buller, Nelson and Tasman had received between 30 and 70mm of rain since midday yesterday, with the heaviest falls around Buller and Nelson.
While a rain warning for the region has expired, Barry said conditions would remain unsettled.
“Just because there’s no warning out, that doesn’t mean that the rain will cease – it’s just sort of easing as the day goes on,” he said.
“People still need to be mindful in that area in particular, where we saw the slips and whatnot yesterday.”
The system also brought strong winds, with gusts of 113km/h recorded in the hills above Wellington overnight.
Nelson recorded a 53km/h gust, which Barry said was unusual for the area.
The strongest conditions were experienced around Wellington and Cook Strait, he said.
Rain spreads north
While conditions in the South Island are expected to ease through the afternoon, the same system is now pushing north.
“That rain is spreading north and is already impacting just about all of the North Island right now, and that’s going to continue throughout the day,” Barry said.
MetService said much of the North Island could have periods of rain today, with some falls potentially heavy and thundery.
The unsettled conditions have already caused several incidents.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called to a property in Ahipara at about 3.17am after a small shed was blown over and rolled, leaving its door facing upwards with a person inside.
The person was not reported to be injured.
In the South Island, emergency crews helped occupants from a vehicle after it entered floodwaters on State Highway 6 north of Murchison overnight.
The occupants were not trapped or injured and were assisted from the vehicle.
Road closures
State Highway 6 has reopened between Murchison and Kawatiri Junction after being closed overnight and this morning because of slips and flooding.
The reopening restored the key connection between Nelson and the West Coast, but drivers were urged to take care and drive to the conditions.
Meanwhile, State Highway 65 remained closed between O’Sullivans and Springs Junction because of a slip at Shenandoah.
Contractors were working to clear the route, but the section could remain closed overnight.
Weather warnings and watches
Heavy Rain Watch
The Ruahine Range – 13 hours from 8am to 9pm Monday
Road Snowfall Warning
Desert Rd (SH1) – seven hours from 8pm Monday to 3am Tuesday