State of Emergency - Selwyn
What you need to know:
- The Selwyn District Council has declared a state of emergency this morning.
- Emergency services and Civil Defence volunteers are working with the Selwyn Huts community to self evacuate due to rising river levels and the likelihood that the access road will be cut off.
- It is possible access via Days Road will be compromised by floodwaters,
- With MetService having heavy rainfall warnings in place from Timaru through to Kaikoura, and all rivers, streams, and surface flooding/ponding areas within this area will see some impacts, the regional council says.
- "The most significant flood flows are expected in the foothill rivers and streams of the Waimakariri, Hurunui, and Kaikoura districts. Out-of-river flooding and significant surface flooding/ponding is likely in some places."
TE WAIHORA / LAKE ELLESMERE (4am update)
Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere will be opened to the sea as soon as weather and sea conditions allow.
ASHLEY RIVER (6am update)
The Ashley River is in moderate flood but is not expected to reach the flood protection scheme capacity (~2000m3/s). Works have taken place to lower the beach crest at the river mouth to encourage the river to break out to sea straighter to avoid back flooding (current mouth is very far north). Tributaries, including the Okuku are also in high flow conditions and adjacent landowners should monitor their situation.
EYRE / CUST / CAM RIVERS (6am update)
The Eyre, Cust and Cam Rivers are all carrying high flows. At this stage, no out of river flows are expected from these rivers, however significant surface flooding throughout the Waimakariri District is to be expected.
- Local road closures in the Selwyn District
In Canterbury, the Selwyn District Council doesn't want residents taking any chances. Sandbags were available from the Glentunnel Community Centre and Sheffield Community Hall on Wednesday evening (BYO shovel).
- Just before midnight, the council closed Coes Ford as the Selwyn River kept rising. Ford on Riversleigh Road, Plantation Road, McLaughlins Road and Scotts Road are also closed as well as Beatty's Ford and Waiters Ford.
- A conserve water notice is in place for the Acheron, Arthur's Pass, Dalethorpe, and Hororata.
- Keep up to date on Stuff's weather blog
- See a Facebook video message from Sam Broughton (Mayor of Selwyn District) here.
Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
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Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.6% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.2% I want to be able to choose.
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47.2% Against. I want to deal with people.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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