Morning updates for Canterbury
A local state of emergency is still in place for Christchurch, Banks Peninsula and the flood-hit Selwyn district. While rain has been easing there's concern over surface flooding in Selwyn District and closed roads in Banks Peninsula. Christchurch had one of its wettest days on record yesterday.
Here's what you need to know this morning:
Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury say:
- The weather has eased overnight but we have had record amounts of rain in some areas. Daylight is going to give a clearer idea of the impact of the last 48 hours, and we will update you with key information as the day unfolds.
- A reminder to please stay safe, look after one another and check in on your neighbours.
Please note:
- Selwyn, Christchurch and Banks Peninsula remain under a state of emergency.
- There is significant impact to the roading network, a number of roads remain closed across the region including State Highway 75 to Banks Peninsula.
- Banks Peninsula is currently isolated. A helicopter flyover of is scheduled for this morning, to assess the damage.
- Contractors will be out at first light in other areas affected across the region to check on conditions and we will keep you updated.
What you need to do:
- Please respect cordons and road closures and avoid driving through flood waters. It can be deeper than it looks, contain debris and the condition of the road can be affected.
- Follow the guidance of the teams out in the field, who will keep you updated with the latest throughout the day.
- Be vigilant, this level of ground saturation can cause trees to fall and landslides after the rain has stopped.
For the latest keep up to date with your local council.
Here are the latest road closures for Selwyn:
Malvern Hills Road
Auchenflower Road
Washpen Road
Pig Saddle Road
Coes Ford
Goulds Road
Springs Road
Malvern Hills Road
Pannets Road
The Lake Road
Rhodes Road
Old Tai Tapu Road
Leeston Road is now partially open one way
Christchurch Northern Central roads closed are:
- Avonside Drive from Retreat Road to Woodham Road
- Avonside Drive from Wainoni Road to Kerrs Road
- New Brighton Road from Rawson Street to Pages Road
- Fitzgerald Ave from Kilmore Street to Cambridge Terrace
- Empire Road from Main North Road
- River Road
- Cambridge Terrace from Barbados Street to Churchill Street
- Avondale Road from New Brighton Road to Mervyn Drive
Police remind motorists who can travel, to:
- Watch your following distance - it takes longer to stop in the rain.
- Headlights on - make yourself visible to other drivers.
- Be patient as road detours/closures may be in place.
Keep up to date with all weather updates across the country on the Stuff website.
MetService warnings can be found here: www.metservice.com...
11.15am update:
Roads in Christchurch's central and northern areas are mostly reopened.
Closures only remain for:
👉 Avonside Drive from Wainoni Road to Kerrs Road
👉 Empire Road from Main North Road
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But despite everything thrown at working people, we've also seen some massive wins. We've fought back together with strike action. We've unified with days of action. We have focused on what matters. Make no mistake, 2026 will be wild, and we are ready for it! Source - New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
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Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
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