Canterbury weather updates
What you need to know:
- A Severe Weather alert is in place for Canterbury between Amberley and Timaru, including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula due to rainfall.
- A State of Emergency has been issued for the Selwyn district and a main road in and out of Banks Peninsula is closed.
- Flooding has hit many roads in the Selwyn district and Christchurch.
- One person has got their car stuck on Oxford Terrace while another woman managed to ride her electric bike through the flowing water.
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand South Island shift manager Ian Littlejohn said they were called to 8 “non life threatening" weather incidents overnight. He said that as daylight begins they were expecting more calls. “The worst is yet to come.”
There were reports of sink holes opening up on the Rakaia highway but police and emergency services "had it under control".
- North Canterbury, north of Amberley is also under an orange heavy rain warning. Up to 150mm more rain has been forecast and this area also has a high chance of being upgraded to a red warning.
- At 3am, it was reported there were power outages north of Christchurch. A tree has fallen on power lines just north of Christchurch, cutting the power to 368 properties.
So far, power has been restored to around 140 properties but houses on Calypso Place, Hemingway Place, Heyders Road, Lower Styx Road, Nautilus Place, Riverside Lane, Seabrooke Drive, Styx River Place and Turners Road are still affected.
- The following roads in Christchurch's northern area are closed due to flooding:
Fitzgerald Avenue between Kilmore Street and Cambridge Terrace
New Brighton Road between Rawson Street and Pages Road
Avonside Drive between Wainoni Road and Kerrs Road
Avonside Drive/Swanns Road between Retreat Road and Woodham Road
- The councils are monitoring rivers, waterways and stormwater networks
Keep up to date with all weather updates across the country on the Stuff website.
MetService warnings can be found here: www.metservice.com...
4.20pm Update:
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
Mayor Phil Mauger made the declaration at 4pm due to the impact of the wet weather such as flooding, slips, landslide and falling trees, particularly on Banks Peninsula.
“We need to make sure we’re able to keep people safe by putting all of our resources into responding to any problems that arise and one of the best ways we can do this is by declaring a Local State of Emergency.”
“We expected the weather would ease, which hasn’t happened so declaring will mean we are prepared for anything that may happen overnight,” the Mayor said.
“The decision to include Christchurch was made as precautionary measure. High tide is expected at 7.41pm so declaring means we would have access to powers under the State of Emergency if they’re required.”
Please Share This Story From Otautahi Newsroom Far and Wide To Help These Men
Otautahi Newsroom
Concerns are being raised about the safety, care standards, and duty of care at a Comcare-supported residential flat in Bishopdale, Christchurch, where vulnerable older men with significant mental health conditions are living.
An advocate speaking on behalf of four residents , says the men are experiencing ongoing intimidation, alleged abuse, and serious safety risks within the flat. The residents are described as having limited capacity to advocate for themselves and have asked for help to bring the situation to public attention.
The flat houses five male residents, all aged over 60 and all considered vulnerable adults with psychiatric illnesses. It is alleged that one resident, I (64), has displayed escalating aggressive and intimidating behaviour over a period of approximately five years. According to reports from residents and those advocating for them, this behaviour has included verbal threats, alleged physical incidents, repeated boundary violations, and conduct that has left others living in fear.
Reported incidents include police attendance following an alleged knife-related event and theft of personal property, an incident in which one resident was allegedly restrained in his bed, repeated verbal intimidation, and unauthorised entry into other residents’ bedrooms. There are also claims that staff members have been assaulted or felt unsafe attending the property, with some reportedly conducting visits from outside the flat due to safety concerns.
Advocates say the ongoing situation has had a severe impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of the affected residents. All four men report feeling unsafe in their own home, with some considering leaving the property despite believing they should not be forced out of housing they were promised would be safe and stable.
One resident, D, who has both mental health needs and a heart condition, is said to have taken on an informal role trying to protect others. Advocates argue this is inappropriate and unsafe, stating that residents should not be expected to manage high-risk situations without professional support. They also claim that Comcare has breached contractual commitments to provide safe, peaceful, and stable housing.
Further concerns have been raised about the suitability of the property itself. The Bishopdale house was originally a four-bedroom home with one bathroom but was altered to accommodate a fifth resident by converting a sunroom into a bedroom. Critics argue that having one toilet for five men over the age of 63 is inadequate and compromises dignity, health, and wellbeing.
There are also claims from a family member of a former resident that care provided to her terminally ill brother at the property was insufficient, adding to broader concerns about oversight and duty of care.
Despite multiple complaints reportedly being lodged with agencies, advocates say they have seen no meaningful action. They are now calling for urgent intervention, including:
• Immediate rehousing of resident I into a 24-hour staffed care facility, dementia care, or appropriate hospital setting
• An urgent, independent investigation into Comcare’s management of the Bishopdale property
• Assessment of whether elder abuse or neglect is occurring
• A full review of duty of care, risk management, and safeguarding practices
• Immediate measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the remaining residents
Advocates warn that without urgent action, there is a serious risk of harm. They say the men deserve to live without fear and with appropriate care that protects their dignity, mental health, and quality of life.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.4% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.1% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.5% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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