Community Update - Flooding Event - Sunday 12th July 2026 2pm
Good afternoon, Kaikōura.
It’s been another busy morning for our response and recovery teams. The sun is out and our damage assessment and welfare teams continue to visit homes and properties around the district.
Our next update will be around 5pm this evening.
Infrastructure and Access
A number of key roads remain closed across the district. People should continue to respect road closures and not attempt to bypass traffic management measures.
West End is open for business. However, State Highway 1 south of Kaikōura remains closed, so we encourage people to plan their travel accordingly.
If Kaikōura is your final destination, you can now enter the township via Hāpuku Bridge. However, please note you still cannot leave the district south via State Highway 1 or Inland Road. Please consider that in your travel plans.
Cribb Creek Bridge remains impassable. We will advise when it is open.
Current closures include:
State Highway 1 from Cheviot to Kaikōura due to flooding and road damage.
Old Beach Road due to bridge damage.
Swan Creek Bridge (Old Beach Road).
Harnetts Creek Bridge (Old Beach Road).
Postmans Road ford.
Inland Road to Waiau.
Cribb Creek Bridge on Inland Road remains impassable.
Open and passable:
Kahutara Bridge and Greenburn Bridge are both intact and passable.
Additional road information:
Puhi Puhi is open for residents only. 4WD only.
State Highway 1 South remains closed between Kaikōura and Cheviot due to extensive slip and flood damage, including a new rock and vegetation slip that has added to repair efforts.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises this section is expected to remain closed until at least 14 July.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi continues to carry out structural assessments of key transport routes and infrastructure.
Roads will remain closed until they are confirmed safe for public use.
Some online maps and information sources may not yet reflect current road conditions. We are working closely with partner agencies to ensure information is updated as quickly as possible.
Rural Properties
We've currently identified around 30 properties (rural and urban) that have sustained flood damage, we've currently identified around 30 properties (rural and urban) that have sustained flood damage, with 2 red placards, four properties issued yellow placards and another 2 yellow stickers yet to be confirmed.
Two affected households are currently being supported in temporary accommodation.
Twenty-one Rapid Rural Damage Assessment surveys have been received from landowners.
We’re acutely aware of the impact this event has had on our rural sector during an already busy season, which is why we’re reminding affected farmers to please complete the survey.
If your farm has been impacted, please complete a Rapid Rural Damage Assessment survey to help direct support where it is needed most.
Complete the survey here:
https://tinyurl.com/RRDA-survey
Why it matters?
It helps us understand the scale, location and severity of rural impacts so we can prioritise support.
What happens after you submit?
Your information appears in the Civil Defence and Emergency Management dashboard to support response and recovery decisions.
Relevant agencies can view summary results for shared situational awareness.
Some agencies may be given detailed information to allocate immediate relief actions.
You may be contacted for clarification.
Rural Support Services
Events like these can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsettled is a normal response.
The North Canterbury Rural Support Trust is part of a nationwide network supporting farmers and their families through challenging times, including adverse weather events. Free and confidential support is available through the Trust’s facilitators, who understand the unique challenges of rural life.
North Canterbury Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254
Township Properties
Three properties have now been issued yellow placards, with two households currently in temporary accommodation.
Two more properties are likely to receive yellow placards after assessments can be carried out when property owners return and provide Council access.
No new at-risk properties have been identified; however, landslides remain a risk as conditions dry out. Please stay vigilant and report any concerns to Kaikōura District Council on 03 319 5026.
Thank you to everyone who continues to report potential risks in their area. As conditions dry out, further issues may emerge, so please remain vigilant and let us know if you have any concerns.
MainPower has now restored electricity to all rural residents, including those around Inland Road.
Welfare and Public Safety
Thank you to our community welfare centres, Takahanga Marae, New Life Church, Red Cross and the Māori Wardens. Everyone who had been staying in welfare centres has now moved on.
Since the response began, our team has checked on approximately 60 properties identified as potentially isolated and delivered supplies where needed.
We have approximately seven isolated households, although not all seven are occupied.
Three properties remain with walking-only access due to damage to private driveways.
We’re checking in regularly with these residents to ensure they have access to essential supplies.
Need support?
During business hours: 03 319 5026
For welfare support after hours:
Recovery Manager Jo York – 022 061 4558
Water Updates
Residents on the Fernleigh Scheme can now collect treated water from a water take station at the corner of Dairy Farm Road and Inland Road.
Residents on both the Fernleigh and Kincaid schemes are asked to continue conserving water while teams work urgently to repair and restore supplies.
If you have concerns about your Kaikōura District Council water supply, please contact 03 319 5026 for support.
The Peketā Boil Water Notice remains in place until further notice.
If you think your drinking water is contaminated
If you experience diarrhoea, vomiting and/or fever and think your sickness has been caused by your drinking water, contact your doctor or Healthline (0800 611 116) and your drinking water supplier as soon as possible.
More information: https://bit.ly/4p9YwDF
Residents in the affected area should continue to boil all drinking water until advised otherwise by authorities.
Insurance Guidance
If your property was affected by flooding this week, you may be wondering what steps to take next.
The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) has put together helpful information on insurance claims, assessing damage and what to expect during the recovery process.
Insurance Council NZ:
Key reminders
While it can be good to make a start on putting things right, people should prioritise their whānau’s immediate welfare needs.
Put safety first. Stay out of badly damaged buildings and, if possible, flood water.
Do not drive flooded vehicles.
If your property has been flooded, turn off the power. Don’t turn it back on until it has been checked by an electrician.
Temporary accommodation benefits may be available through your home or contents insurance policy, including for renters.
Contact your insurer as soon as possible for advice specific to your circumstances.
Landslide Risk
Persistent heavy rain can increase the risk of landslides. Landslides can occur suddenly and without warning.
Be especially cautious when driving. Embankments and slopes alongside roads are particularly vulnerable during prolonged rainfall.
Warning signs of a landslide
Be alert for:
Small slips, rockfalls, or ground subsidence at the base of slopes.
Doors and windows that suddenly stick.
Gaps around door and window frames where they no longer fit properly.
Outdoor structures such as steps, decks, and verandas moving or tilting away from the house.
New cracks or bulges in the ground, roads, footpaths, retaining walls, or other hard surfaces.
Tilting trees, retaining walls, or fences.
Water unexpectedly flowing from a slope, such as a new spring.
If you suspect a landslide:
Move out of its path immediately and call 111.
Evacuate if your home or the building you are in is at risk.
If it is safe to do so, take a grab bag and pets with you.
Warn your neighbours and assist others if you can do so safely.
Please report slips or debris on public roads to Kaikōura District Council on 03 319 5026. If access is cut off, or there is an immediate risk to life or property, call 111.
Landslides consist of heavy, waterlogged soil and debris. Cleanup is best left to trained professionals, as soil, silt, and woody debris may be contaminated.
Weather Forecast
MetService New Zealand's Yellow Heavy Rain Watch has now been lifted.
Rainfall is expected to ease over the next couple of days, bringing some much-needed relief to our district.
River and Flood Assessments
Environment Canterbury River Engineers will continue to monitor river levels.
The Kowhai River no longer poses an immediate flood risk.
Safety remains the primary consideration when determining access arrangements and recovery activities.
Reassurance and Mental Health.
Emergency response agencies, local authorities and partner organisations continue to work together to support affected communities, assess damage and restore access where it is safe to do so.
We acknowledge this has been a challenging and uncertain time for many residents. Thank you for your patience, cooperation and support for one another as the response continues.
The safety of our community, visitors and response personnel remains our highest priority.
Whether you've been directly impacted or not, events like these can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsettled is a normal response.
A few ways to support your wellbeing and those around you
Take care of the basics — food, rest, and connection.
Check in on neighbours, whānau, friends, and workmates.
Offer practical help where you can.
Take a break from social media and stick to trusted sources of information.
Remember that recovery takes time, and it's okay to ask for help.
Support is available
1737 – Free call or text anytime to speak with a trained counsellor.
North Canterbury Rural Support Trust provides free and confidential support for farmers, growers and rural communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Phone: 0800 787 254
The resilience, patience and community spirit shown across Kaikōura over the past few days has been remarkable. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available See less
