South Island severe weather, June–July 2025

The story so far

Residents of Spring Creek, north of Blenheim, were asked to prepare for evacuation as the Wairau River rose, and a local state of emergency was declared in Marlborough after cracks appeared in stopbanks.^{26 Jun 2025} About 60 households were ordered to evacuate, and Nelson recorded over 300mm of rain in 24 hours, with states of emergency also in place in Nelson.^{26, 27 Jun 2025} The Motueka River burst its banks, leaving some communities cut off, farmland submerged and a boil water notice in some areas, and Spring Creek and Renwick residents were later allowed home.^{28, 29 Jun 2025} MetService said the rain met the criteria for an orange heavy rain warning, and further orange warnings were issued for Nelson, Tasman and the Bay of Plenty.^{1 Jul 2025}

Latest

On 3 July, heavy rain closed roads and brought down a tree in Waikato, while Taranaki recorded surface flooding and 280mm of rain near Taranaki Maunga.^{4 Jul 2025}

What's next

MetService warned that a new front would bring thunderstorms, wind and heavy rain to Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough and Buller later that week.^{30 Jun 2025}

Key moments

1. 26 Jun 2025Local state of emergency declared in Marlborough; about 60 households ordered to evacuate.
2. 27 Jun 2025Several Spring Creek residents evacuated after the Wairau River burst its banks.
3. 27 Jun 2025Nelson recorded over 300mm of rain in 24 hours; states of emergency declared.
4. 29 Jun 2025Motueka River burst its banks; boil water notice issued for some areas.
5. 1 Jul 2025MetService confirmed the rain met criteria for an orange heavy rain warning.
6. 1 Jul 2025Army and Fire and Emergency NZ sent reinforcements to Nelson-Marlborough.
7. 4 Jul 2025Waikato and Taranaki hit by road closures and flooding; 280mm of rain recorded.

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