Nelson Tasman Region Recovers From Historic Flooding

Following what local authorities have labeled a "one-in-100-year" flooding event, hundreds of properties in Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough are currently being assessed for damage. The region is still under a state of emergency, with many homes rendered uninhabitable, roads damaged, and properties submerged in floodwaters.

On Thursday, crews evaluated nearly 650 properties. Of these, 90 were identified as requiring additional support. The Rural Support Trust has already reached out to some affected residents. Civil Defence officials have urged property owners to document all flood-related damage before beginning cleanup efforts and to contact their insurance providers as soon as possible.

Richard Kempthorne, chairperson for the top of the south region, described the scale of destruction as "huge." He noted that these floods are unprecedented for most residents, adding that recovery efforts will likely cost millions of dollars.

The government has announced additional financial support for farmers and growers in the affected areas. A relief package of up to $100,000 is now available to support recovery operations. Earlier this week, two community meetings were held at Riwaka Memorial Hall and Ngātīmoti Hall to address concerns and coordinate local response efforts.

Weather data from MetService indicates that June 2025 was exceptionally wet for the region. More than 250mm of rain fell in Blenheim, and 220mm in Nelson—both record-breaking figures for these areas. These extreme rainfall levels were a major contributing factor to the catastrophic flooding.

Residents returning to their homes are being advised to take photos of all flood damage, as this documentation is crucial for insurance claims. With infrastructure and housing severely impacted, the long-term economic and social repercussions of the disaster are expected to be significant.

Despite the ongoing challenges, officials remain cautiously optimistic that the region will gradually recover, though the road ahead is expected to be long and arduous.