Families Remain Isolated in Motueka Valley Amid Ongoing Recovery from Nelson Tasman Floods

More than 28 families remain cut off in parts of the Motueka Valley as the Nelson Tasman region continues its recovery from two major flood events within weeks of each other. The region, which declared a state of emergency on July 10, is now in a transition phase as it moves toward long-term recovery, with the emergency status set to expire this Thursday.

Residents in Graham Valley Rd, Hinetai Rd, and the Wangapeka West Bank Rd have been reliant on helicopter deliveries for essential supplies, with officials working to assess their needs and explore alternative access routes. Richard Kirby, group recovery manager at the Tasman District Council, explained that the damaged roads are major and may take two to three months to repair. In the interim, emergency access solutions are being considered.

"Most of them are lifestyle blocks and small sections, and we’ve been talking to them and finding out what they need, dropping it off, and we will continue that during the recovery period," Kirby said.

As of Wednesday, 10 homes had been marked with red stickers (indicating they are not habitable), 42 with yellow stickers (requiring further assessment), and 48 with white stickers (undamaged but needing evaluation). The Nelson Tasman Civil Defence is currently providing accommodation for 12 individuals affected by the floods.

The district experienced two months of rainfall in just 48 hours, beginning on June 27, with the second flood on July 11 causing significant damage due to high winds and saturated ground. Kirby noted that there are still around 40 road closures across the area, with efforts ongoing to restore one-way access where possible.

"There will be a big job to come back and do the final repairs. That work is likely to take probably 12 to 18 months, maybe two years to actually fully recover from," he added.

Another key focus is stabilizing the river network, as long-range forecasts predict more heavy rain in the coming months. However, Kirby emphasized that full repairs and collaboration with landowners on private properties adjacent to rivers could take years.

"The rivers team are just highlighting where the urgent areas are so if there is any more heavy rain, we minimize further erosion and further damage, but it's fair to say that we're not going to get the rivers in any state ready for major floods for at least two, three, four years," he said.

As of the latest update, six households in the region remained without power following the most recent flood, with efforts underway to reconnect them by the weekend. Network Tasman operations manager Robert Derks noted that power poles at the Mārahau site in Riwaka-Sandy Bay Rd had been destroyed by a slip and would need to be rebuilt before power can be restored.

Greg Knapp, owner of Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle, has been helping with flood cleanup by collecting debris from the Motueka Sandspit. He described finding everything from fridges and LPG bottles to even a child’s Ninja Turtle in the water. Despite previous efforts, the cleanup was set back by the recent flood.

"The community has been amazing in pulling together to clean up after the floods," Knapp said.

Local churches in Motueka are coordinating a relief effort, collecting donations of clothes, shoes, household goods, and furniture. These items can be dropped off at the Motueka Rec Centre on July 18 between 8:30 am and 9:30 am, with affected residents able to collect what they need from 12 pm to 4 pm.

The situation in Motueka Valley highlights the ongoing struggle for affected families as they face long-term recovery, with infrastructure, power, and river systems all requiring significant attention. As the region moves forward, community support and government efforts will play a crucial role in rebuilding the area.