Farmer Recalls Tragic Moment Wife Was Swept Away in Floodwaters

A farmer from the Motueka Valley in Nelson-Tasman has shared a harrowing account of the moment his wife was swept away in floodwaters during a recent deluge. The incident, which left his family devastated, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by rural communities in the region.

The floods have caused widespread damage across the Nelson-Tasman area, with roads becoming impassable and people urged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. The extreme rainfall over the past two weeks has left many residents struggling to cope with the aftermath.

Jamie Huvinton, a local farmer, described the traumatic experience of losing his wife during the first wave of flooding. Along with his family, he had been trying to move his horses to higher ground when the river surged unexpectedly.

"It was around lunchtime, and there was a large island of gravel in the middle of the river. The river flooded that island and diverted straight toward our property, surrounding our house," Huvinton recalled. "We had to move the horses, but as my wife walked through the floodwater, she slipped and was swept away. There was nothing I could do."

Despite the chaos, Huvinton managed to save the other horse, and his wife was eventually rescued after getting caught in a fence. However, the emotional and physical toll has been immense. His wife suffered significant bruising, and the family now lives in a rented bus on their property after their home was deemed unsafe.

"The community has been incredible. People have come with food, skips, a port-a-loo, and even diggers to help clear the mud and debris," Huvinton said. "It’s been a tough time, but we’re trying to get back on our feet."

Similar stories are emerging from other local farmers, including Charlton Malcolm, a pear grower in Tasman. His orchard, Echodale Orchard, has been hit by two major floods, leaving it inundated with silt, sand, and debris.

"The river came through the same height as the first flood, but with more damage because the trees were gone and the riverbank was weak," Malcolm said. "It’s completely devastating. We’ve lost about 2 hectares, and the structural repairs could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Despite the grim outlook, Malcolm remains hopeful. "We have about 50,000 to 60,000 pear trees, which are quite young and should be able to bounce back," he said. "We’re hoping the weather stays good so we can start cleaning up and repairing the damage."

The government has classified the floods as a medium-scale adverse event and has made up to $100,000 available to support recovery efforts. This includes tax relief and the possibility of Rural Assistance Payments, though many farmers are still waiting for further support.

As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the floods, the resilience of the community shines through. While the road to recovery is long, the spirit of the people in Motueka and surrounding areas remains unbroken.