Flood Aftermath in Popular Holiday Spot ‘Worse than Christchurch Earthquakes’

A beloved Tasman holiday park has been left in devastation after a powerful deluge caused by record rainfall, with locals comparing the damage to the Christchurch earthquakes.

Recent heavy rains have battered the Nelson-Tasman region, leading to a state of emergency and widespread destruction. One of the hardest-hit areas was Bethany Park in Kaiteriteri, where a creek burst its banks, sending a wall of water and debris through the site.

“I went through the Christchurch earthquakes, this is probably worse, as far as the silt,” said Bethany Park manager Rebecca Matthews, describing the scene as “a mess” with silt, logs, and other debris floating around.

The popular holiday park is a favorite destination for Christchurch visitors, hosting around 1,000 guests each summer. It also serves as a home for several hundred “grey nomads” during the colder months. Many of these residents had to leave the area, with some moving to higher ground.

Despite the devastation, Matthews noted that no one was hurt, and the park’s facilities remained intact. “Our cabins will dry out,” she said, adding that the community had come together to help with the cleanup, including people from as far as Christchurch, who dropped off an overwhelming amount of food.

Lynnette Valk, who had been staying at a nearby campground, described the damage as “devastating.” While her motorhome was not damaged, she was shocked to see the extent of the destruction when the road reopened. “There was still water pooled across the road, and houses surrounded by silt,” she said.

Kaiteriteri Reserve Campground CEO Mason Fitzgerald called the event a “one-in-150-year event,” noting that while the reserve itself had escaped damage, many staff homes had been affected, and Bethany Park had been hit very hard.

As the cleanup continues, the park will remain closed for the next month. Meanwhile, the Nelson mayor, Nick Smith, reported that power had been restored to 13,000 households, with 7,000 still without electricity. The area is now grappling with the aftermath of the storm, with residents and officials working to restore normalcy.

With the golden sands of Kaiteriteri Beach now covered in debris, the community is facing a long road to recovery. Yet, as the people of Nelson-Tasman show, resilience and unity are strong in the face of nature’s fury.