Heavy rain and weather warnings, May 2025

The story so far

MetService issued 11 weather watches and warnings ahead of a front from the Tasman Sea, expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the west coast, southern and central regions from late Sunday into Monday morning.^{25 May 2025} Severe thunderstorm and heavy rain watches were also issued for Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo and Taranaki, covering risks of localised downpours and flash flooding until 6am Tuesday.^{26 May 2025} Heavy rain on Monday morning caused more than 20 flooding incidents in central Nelson, with manhole covers erupting and water entering properties, and officials advised treating flood waters as potentially contaminated.^{26 May 2025} The next day, heavy rain and wind had caused flooding in Nelson and Westport and multiple slips on State Highway 6.^{27 May 2025} The road through Lower Buller Gorge was closed between Inangahua Junction and Westport while authorities assessed the damage.^{27 May 2025}

What's next

Authorities are assessing the damage on State Highway 6 while the Lower Buller Gorge section remains closed.^{27 May 2025}

Key moments

1. 25 May 2025MetService issues 11 watches and warnings ahead of a Tasman Sea front.
2. 26 May 2025Severe thunderstorm and heavy rain watches issued for five North Island regions.
3. 26 May 2025More than 20 flooding incidents reported in central Nelson on Monday morning.
4. 27 May 2025Slips and flooding close State Highway 6 through Lower Buller Gorge.
5. 27 May 2025MetService issues new heavy rain watches as another wet front approaches.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.