What you need to know: Travel disruption, flooding and evacuations as severe weather hits New Zealand
Heavy rain is pummelling parts of the country, causing widespread travel disruption, flooding and evacuations.
The top of the South Island is bearing the brunt of the rain, with state of emergencies issued as a result of significant rainfall. Dozens of homes have been evacuated due to rising floodwaters.
Fire and Emergency said it has responded to 31 calls, with crews rescuing people trapped in vehicles, assisting with evacuations and pumping water from flooded homes.
Meanwhile, Auckland has been hit by severe thunderstorms and torrential rain.
============================================================
State of emergencies declared
=========================
A state of emergency has been declared for the Nelson Tasman region as a result of severe weather and evacuations.
Tasman District Council said the declaration will allow agencies to rapidly respond, with slips and flooding across the region and further rain forecast.
People are being evacuated in Brightwater and Upper Moutere and residents in Riwaka might need to leave.
A local state of emergency is also in place for part of Marlborough, where 60 households in Spring Creek near Blenheim were ordered to evacuate because of fears a Wairau River stopbank might not hold.
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has activated its Local Coordination Centre in Nelson to coordinate its response activities across the whole top of the South area.
Weather warnings and watches
==========================
MetService has issued several severe weather warnings and watches across the country.
A red severe thunderstorm warning is in place for western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Whakatane and Rotorua.
Earlier parts of Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty were under a severe thunderstorm warning, however this has been lifted.
Meanwhile, a heavy snow watch has been issued for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, also inland Dunedin and Clutha until noon Saturday.
Orange heavy rain warnings:
=======================
Bay of Plenty: 9am to midnight Friday
Gisborne/Tairawhiti about and north of Ruatoria: 5pm Friday to 2am Saturday
Dunedin: 9pm Friday to 6pm Saturday
Clutha: 9pm Friday to 6pm Saturday
Heavy rain watches:
================
Nelson and Tasman Districts from Motueka to SH 6, including Nelson Lakes: 9am to noon Friday
North Otago: 3pm Friday to 3am Saturday
Southland about and east of Mossburn: midnight Friday to 3pm Saturday
Coromandel Peninsula: 9am to 5pm Friday
Waikato: 9am to 5pm Friday
Taupō and northern Taihape: 9am to 5pm Friday
Taranaki, apart from Taranaki Maunga: 9am to 2pm Friday
Road closures
============
The top of the South Island is cut off at the moment with a number of state highways closed.
NZ Transport Agency is warning drivers to be prepared for wet weather driving and to take extra care on the roads.
FENZ Steve Trigg warned people not to drive through floodwater and to respect all "road closed" signs.
"It's impossible to judge the depth of the water, so when people become stranded they are in danger of drowning."
Here is a list of the highways closed:
==============================
SH6 is closed between Havelock and Hira, and Kohatu and Richmond
SH60 is closed between Richmond and Collingwood
SH63 is colsed from Anglesea Street to St Arnaud
SH6 in lower Buller is closed from Gorge to Inanghua
Roads closed in Marlborough include:
===============================
Queen Charlotte Drive is closed at the Havelock end
Ronga Road is closed from the SH6 intersection, closing access to French Pass and Tennyson Inlet
New Renwick Road is closed between Fairhall School and Dog Point Road
Jacksons Road Ford is closed
All Spring Creek roads are closed from SH1 through to the corner of Thomas and Neils Road
Flights affected
=============
Dozens of domestic flights bound for or departing from Auckland Airport have been cancelled or delayed due to severe weather conditions.
Auckland Airport said 21 flights have been cancelled and 11 flights have been delayed.
It said the weather is mostly impacting flights to or from regional destinations.
The airport also confirmed that a China Eastern Airlines flight from Hangzhou to Auckland has been diverted to Christchurch due to the unsettled weather conditions. China Eastern Airlines also confirmed the diversion.
===================================================
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
-
52.5% Human-centred experience and communication
-
14.6% Critical thinking
-
29.8% Resilience and adaptability
-
3% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
Room for rent
🌿 Beautiful Private Space Available for Rent – Perfect for 2 Girls or a Couple 🌿
Located in the peaceful and family-friendly suburb of Lynfield, this warm and welcoming home offers a comfortable living space in a highly sought-after top school zone.
✨ What’s Included:
🏡 2 Spacious Bedrooms
🛁 Private Bathroom
🍳 Separate Kitchen
🛏️ 1 Bed with Mattress
🔥 Stove
📟 Microwave
Unlimited WiFi included
✔ Power & water included
✔ Bus stop in front of the house
✔ Nearby shops and supermarkets
This setup is ideal for two girls or a couple looking for a quiet, safe, and relaxed place to call home.
🌸 Enjoy living in a serene neighbourhood with a friendly community atmosphere, while still being conveniently close to schools, shops, and transport.
If you're looking for comfort, privacy, and a peaceful lifestyle — this could be your perfect new home 💛
📍 Location: Lynfield, Auckland
📩 Message for more details or to arrange a viewing. For couple $450 for one bedroom. $600 for the 2 bedroom and kitchen and bathroom. Feel free to contact me on 022-422-0145 for any other details
Loading…
