Homes were evacuated in Queenstown overnight as a winter storm continues to move over the South Island.
A complex low and frontal system has been making its way over the South Island, bringing long periods of heavy rain.
Queenstown Mayor John Glover told Breakfast around 45 people were evacuated overnight. It followed 48 hours of "pretty solid rain".
A Civil Defence welfare hub was established to support residents in need.
"They'll hopefully be getting back to their properties later on today," Glover said.
There were also several blocked roads in the region, including at the One Mile roundabout and on Gorge Road. Crews were "working hard to clear these as quickly and safely as conditions allow".
"Please drive with extreme care today and avoid driving through any flood waters."
A conserve water notice was in place for Fernhill, Sunshine Bay, Queenstown CBD, and Frankton Road.
MetService said the front began moving north overnight, while severe northwest gales were expected to affect some parts of central New Zealand today.
Glover said the rain was now easing and there were blue skies in Queenstown.
"It will take a while to drain away. Be patient. There will be traffic queues as ever," he said.
State Highway 6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Otago has been closed this morning because of a slip. State Highway 94 Te Anau to Milford Sound remained closed from the Lower Hollyford Road intersection to Donne River because of avalanche risk, with reopening expected tomorrow based on current forecasts.
The Crown Range Road is also closed this morning, between Eastburn Road and Cardrona, due to “adverse weather conditions”.
"NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi also has Area Warnings in place because of surface flooding for SH6 from Haast to Hokitika on the West Coast, State Highway 8A from Tarras to Luggate in Otago, State Highway 8 from Omarama to Clearburn in Canterbury, and from Springfield to Otira on State Highway 73 where winter driving conditions remain after a closure because of snow yesterday."
Several weather warnings remain in place for parts of the South Island.
The ranges of the Grey and Buller districts, Westland, and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass were under orange rain warnings.
Wairarapa south of Masterton, Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds were under a strong wind watch.
MetService head of weather news Heather Keats told Breakfast a new low-pressure system would move over the North Island tomorrow.
"We're talking heavy rain for the whole upper North Island – Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty to Gisborne as that tracks across.
"So tomorrow is a bit of a write-off. Sunday does look better."
Full list of weather warnings and watches:
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Ranges of the Grey and Buller districts – 12 hours from midnight Thursday to noon Friday.
Westland – 14 hours from 8pm Thursday to 10am Friday.
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass – 14 hours from 8pm Thursday to 10am Friday.
Strong Wind Watch
Wairarapa south of Masterton, Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds – 14 hours from 6am Friday.
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