Flooding continues to affect the Wairarapa as the lower North Island begins cleaning up after a day of wild weather, with flights resuming at Wellington Airport and power being restored across affected regions.
Multiple road closures left Martinborough completely cut off for several hours this morning, with access now restored via the Longbush and Hinekura route.
The Tūranganui River bridge near Lake Ferry — which was badly damaged in February's floods — has been washed out again, cutting off Lake Ferry, Cape Palliser, Ngawi and Whāngaimoana from the rest of the region for the second time in months.
"It's likely it will be midweek until access is reestablished, depending on the current weather conditions and access to rock material," South Wairarapa District Council said in a statement.
The council has activated its emergency operations centre and urged residents to not travel unless absolutely necessary.
"Driving conditions are hazardous, and road closures may change at short notice. Assessments are ongoing to understand the full extent of impacts and then prioritising repairs."
South Wairarapa Mayor Dame Fran Wilde says her district was "at the end of our tether" after a third major flooding event in eight weeks, with the same roads, bridges and communities bearing the brunt each time.
"More than annoyed — I'm pretty angry," she told 1News.
"Bridges that we just repaired and roads we just repaired are now washed out again, and we cannot afford to keep on repairing this infrastructure. We need better bridges built so they don't wash out every time this happens."
The Tūranganui River bridge near Lake Ferry — which was badly damaged in February's floods — has been washed out again. (Source: Chelsie Dodunski) (Source: Supplied)
Dame Fran said the district's small population meant it struggled to be heard in Wellington and that they were "at the mercy of the government and the roading programme".
"Government, please listen to the small rural communities — you are not hearing our voice."
Photos sent to 1News showed flood levels still high across the Wairarapa this morning.
Carterton resident Nat Chesterfield, whose property was flooded, said it was still raining but much lighter than Friday.
Masterton resident Jess Innes said she was still trying to get home.
"We're trying to make it home — we couldn't get home last night," she said.
Around 200 flights were cancelled at Wellington Airport on Friday as a low-pressure system brought winds of more than 150km/h to the capital.
Services resumed on Saturday morning, though Wellington Airport warned passengers to expect some flow-on disruptions as airlines work through the backlog.
"Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines for information on specific flights," a spokesperson said.
MetService lifted its weather warnings, with none currently in force.
Fire and Emergency NZ central shift manager Chris Dalton told 1News it had been a "very wet night" in the Wellington region, with crews responding to multiple calls.
He said conditions were much the same as yesterday, with multiple flood-related incidents overnight.
During one incident, a motorist got stuck after driving into floodwaters.
They were rescued by another member of the public, who towed the vehicle before fire crews arrived.
More than 2500 households were still without power on Saturday morning, in Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Taranaki and the Wellington region - down from the 7000 properties in the dark on Friday.
Road closures
Several roads in the Wellington and Wairarapa regions remain affected this morning.
State Highway 2 is closed at Opaki, between Lennies Rd and Wingate Rd. Local road detours are available via Lincoln Rd, Akura Rd, and Paierau Rd.
State Highway 53 at the Waihenga Bridge near Martinborough remained closed due to high water levels at the Ruamahanga River.
"The route will remain closed until flood waters recede and the bridge is safe to reopen," a New Zealand Transport Agency spokesperson said.
"There is no estimated time for when this may happen."
The northbound closure on State Highway 2 between Wiltons Rd and Norfolk Rd has been lifted. A 50 km/h temporary speed limit is in place where residual flooding remains.
All state highways in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast are open.
NZTA said surface flooding and a blocked drain were affecting southbound traffic on State Highway 2 between Ngauranga and Petone.
Wellington Water crews will be on site today to carry out inspections and drainage repairs. Motorists were told to expect delays.
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