529 days ago

Coast rivers warning alarms in May

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Brendon McMahon, Local democracy reporter

Hydrology data collected by the West Coast Regional Council underscores just how wet the month was.

However while the Hokitika and Haast rivers exceeded their 1-year annual return periods during heavy rain on May 9, high flows in the Grey and Buller rivers further north remained below their one-year annual return, a resource science report to the Resource Management Committee on Tuesday says.

"May has been a wet month of unsettled weather for the West Coast with the Hokitika and Waiho rivers triggering four flood warning alarm responses," the staff report says.

"On average, most flows recorded were above or near median annual flows".

On May 3 the Hokitika passed the first alarm threshold of 3750mm and peaked at 3793mm; six days later on May 9 it peaked at 4411mm.

The threshold of 8000mm at the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef was passed and peaked at 8474mm on May 3; it peaked slightly lower at 8144mm on May 9.

In April the Hokitika River at the gorge measuring point, surpassed its flood alarm threshold on the 11th, with a peak of 3762mm.

More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 83.1% Yes
    83.1% Complete
  • 14.6% No
    14.6% Complete
  • 2.4% Other - I'll share below
    2.4% Complete
1021 votes
5 days ago

Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

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When should the tree go up? 🎄
  • 4.7% Second half of November
    4.7% Complete
  • 43.5% 1st December
    43.5% Complete
  • 17.4% A week before Christmas
    17.4% Complete
  • 33.3% Whenever you wish
    33.3% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2249 votes