Not out of the woods yet: At least 100 in Westport evacuation centres stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
More rain is forecast for much of the country going into the weekend, including the already drenched West Coast's Buller district which is in a state of emergency.
Skara Bohny11:30, Jul 22 2021
Stuff
A car has collided with a tree between Reefton and Springs Junction, reducing SH7 to a single lane. (File photo)
A car has crashed into a tree just north of Reefton, reducing State Highway 7 to a single lane. Police were notified of the crash at 8:10am, involving a single car which collided with a tree about 25km out of Reefton. Three people were injured in the crash. The crash occurred on Rahu Saddle, between Reefton and Springs Junction. St John spokesman Gerard Campbell said one patient with serious injuries had been taken to Greymouth Hospital by helicopter. One person with a minor injury was taken by ambulance to Greymouth Hospital.
Wild weather - SH1 reopening but residents face devastating scenes at home
NZ Defence Force rescue a Buller resident. Photo / NZ Defence Force
Wild weather - SH1 reopening but residents face devastating scenes at home Sun, 18 Jul 2021, 9:24AM
State Highway 1 in Marlborough is reopening and evacuated residents from three settlements have been told they can return home from lunchtime on Sunday.
But on the other side of the island, West Coast residents face heartache, with flood-ravaged streets and homes.
The Marlborough District Council said State Highway 1, including the Wairau River Bridge, was expected to reopen from midday on Sunday. All evacuated residents from Tuamarina, Spring Creek and the Lower Wairau can return to their homes from midday.