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Recovery Update Friday 11 July 2025 4.00pm
Flood waste management
The latest weather event has meant we’ve had to hit the pause button on some aspects of our flood damage waste management plan. Right now, the priority is to ensure people are safe. But once the weather clears, we know there will be a lot to clean up and people will be eager to get started, so we’ve put together this advice sheet to help you to navigate the clean-up.
Waste disposal – Household Flood Damaged Waste
Flood damaged household waste can be taken to your nearest Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) and we will cover the cost. You’ll need to fill out a form before you dispose of your material with your contact details, your insurance company (if applicable), where the material has come from and confirmation that it’s flood-related waste. You can complete this short form in advance: https://rebrand.ly/7suw3bd(external link). We may need to take photos of the waste.
We will only accept material at the RRCs that you can transport by car, ute or small trailer
Please don’t put material on the roadside, as this makes it difficult and more expensive to manage.
Rural/Farm Waste
Volunteer support with aspects of cleaning up may be available for you – please contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 https://bit.ly/4nAdYYC(external link)
Further information on large scale waste disposal will be provided next week
Silt Control
We realise that silt is a real problem and not necessarily easy to deal with. We are asking people not to dispose of silt until we have a silt management plan in place and create special drop off sites. Planning is underway for this, but as you can understand the logistics of an operation like this take time.
Our advice at this stage is to please leave silt on site, where it safe and practical to do so. If you have cleaned up silt and dumped it, please let us know where it’s been dumped.
The problem is some of the silt contains the highly invasive and nasty Asiatic Knotweed and we need to ensure that it isn’t spread further round Tasman in dumped silt.
Fence Posts
We ask that fenceposts and wire are not bundled together and that where possible wire is removed - removing wire from fence posts greatly increases the chance of posts and wire being reused and reduces transport costs.
You can get more information on cleaning up after an event here: https://www.ifso.nz/pages/natural-disasters-after-the-event(external link).
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Recovery Update Thursday 10 July 2025 3.30pm
Weather Warning – until midnight Friday 11 July
Nelson Tasman Emergency Management is closely monitoring the situation as the rain continues and has plans in place.
The key message is keep safety first. Don’t take chances. Act quickly if you see water rising and move to higher ground. If you feel in danger phone 1-1-1 immediately.
Please be aware that the ground is saturated and with further rain combined with wind, falling trees will become a potential danger.
Based on the rain that is currently forecasted by Metservice, our hydrologists are expecting flood flows to be large in the areas of Wai-iti Valley, Upper Motueka, Motupiko, Tadmor, and the Motueka from Kohatu to the Coast. Riwaka and Brooklyn areas should also prepare on this basis. While our best estimate is for something less than that seen two weeks ago, there is the possibility that the rainfall may last longer, or be heavier than predicted, and this combined with the very saturated conditions, impacted infrastructure and compromised riverbeds, requires considerable caution.
Read the latest Metservice advisory here. https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home#upper-south(external link).
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Help coming for clean-up efforts
The government plans to bring in jobseekers to help with the response to the recent flooding in Tasman.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston has announced the activation of an Enhanced Task Force Green.
This allows the use of funding for training, supplying, transporting and paying people on the Jobseeker benefit to help with the cleanup.
The Ministry of Social Development will work with agencies to make sure Enhanced Task Force Green assistance is provided as soon as possible to farmers and growers in need of this support.
It’s expected the work could include clearing debris and fencelines, as well as repairing buildings and waterways.
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Financial assistance from Work and Income
Depending on your situation, Work and Income may be able to help you and your family with things like bedding, clothing, food, rent, power bills, repairs or replacing appliances.
You don’t need to be on a benefit to get help - it’s also available to people on low incomes. However, you may have to pay the money back, depending on your situation.
Go to workandincome.govt.nz and search for ‘urgent costs’ for more information. Or visit your local Work and Income/MSD service centre to talk about your situation and find out about any help you may be able to get. You can also call 0800 559 009.
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Recovering fence posts and wire
Tasman District Council is looking at working with RePost to salvage fence posts and wire from the floods, with more details to follow.
As a first step, to help with recovering posts, it is important to separate posts from wire so they can be transported. We would ask that fenceposts and wire are not bundled together and that where possible wire is removed. Mostly removing wire from fence posts greatly increases the chance of posts and wire being reused and reduces transport costs for everyone caused by bundled fences being taken to Council resource recovery centres.
Volunteer support with this task may be available – please contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 https://bit.ly/4nAdYYC(external link)
Further details on fence recovery options will follow when in place.
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Re-grassing after a flood
Pasture renovation after major flooding events requires a careful and strategic approach. There are several useful websites that provide guidelines on how to handle different types of damage to pastures, from lightly silted to completely dead, due to being underwater.
Key steps include taking time to clear debris and unwanted material, selecting appropriate planting methods, planning for weed management, and applying the necessary fertilisers.
Considerations like the species of grass to plant, soil aeration, nitrogen management, and animal health are also highlighted. Following these guidelines will help you restore the productive ability of your land quickly and effectively.
Two of those websites are https://www.dairynz.co.nz/support/crisis-and-adverse-events/pasture-renovation/(external link)
Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
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Recovery Update Weds 09 July 2025 2.00pm
Weather Watch
MetService has updated the Severe Weather Rain Watch for northwest of Motueka to now include Friday’s rain. Another Watch has also been issued for the rest of the region for Friday's rain.
Our hydrologists believe Wednesday’s rain will not produce floods in the rivers, but Friday’s rain with higher amounts and most likely higher intensities could cause moderate floods in the main rivers of Tākaka and Aorere rivers (up to annual flood) and cause surface flooding and exacerbate the issues of high groundwater levels in the lower lying areas and cause slips.
Overall, we can expect further surface flooding and ponding, in particular affecting roads and other low areas that probably have already had some degree of flooding. There is also the potential for further landslips to be triggered. With increased wind, there is the risk of tree fall with sodden ground.
Links for more information:
• MetService warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home#upper-south(external link).
• Updates on local road conditions: https://roadinfo.ramm.com/nz/roadclosuremap.html...(external link)
• Updates on state highway conditions: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/tasman/(external link)
• River flow reports: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/flow-report/(external link)
• Rainfall reports: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/report/(external link)
Potentially contaminated bore water
Bacterial contamination is a very real and major concern for flooded areas. Boiling water for private supplies will minimises the risk.
But there is an additional contamination concern in the rural areas with spilled agrichemicals. Numerous agrichemical containers were carried away by the floodwaters and spilled into the waters and onto land.
Boiling water will not make chemically contaminated water safe. If you discover any of these containers near your bore water supply, please do not use it for drinking or supplying animals.
You will need to get your water tested. The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai has valuable advice about drinking water safety on its website. https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-communities/emergencies/drinking-water-following-a-flood/(external link)
There’s also a list of water testing laboratories on the website at https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-water-suppliers/using-an-accredited-laboratory-to-test-your-drinking-water/(external link)
We can help with guidance and support for home loss recovery.
Do you need help working through this confusing process? We now have Navigators in place to help you out.
Our Navigators can support you through the recovery process after homes and land have been damaged in the recent flood event, they provide you a single contact point for all your questions.
Their role is to support you to access the right services, at the right time, through connection with appropriate wrap-around recovery support agencies. These agencies are all working with the same goal in mind – to get you back into your property when it is safe.
The service is designed to empower individuals and whānau to help increase resilience and self-reliance so you can get through this and move forward with your lives. To get in touch with our Navigators call us at Tasman District Council on 543 8400
Waste disposal
People affected by the flood event can dispose of any solid waste at council cost at their nearest Council Resource Recovery Centre. You’ll need to fill out a form before you dispose of your material. We’ll need to know your contact details, your insurance company (if applicable), where the material has come from and confirmation that it’s flood-related waste. You can complete this short form in advance: https://rebrand.ly/7suw3bd(external link). We may need to take photos of the waste.
If you are not able to transport your material to a Resource Recovery Centre, then please call us on 03 543 8400 and we will look at getting a contractor to collect the material. Please don’t put material on the roadside, as this makes it difficult and more expensive to manage. You can get more information on cleaning up after an event here: https://www.ifso.nz/pages/natural-disasters-after-the-event(external link).
Silt control
We are asking people not to dispose of silt until we have a silt management plan in place and a drop off site is organised.
Our advice at this stage is to leave silt on site, where it is safe and practical to do so. If you have cleaned up silt and dumped it, please let us know where it’s been dumped.
But we have a potential problem with Asiatic Knotweed caught up in silt and debris.
Seeds are not the issue with knotweed, it is the prolific underground rhizome material (can grow 3m deep and up to 7m out from the parent material) which may have been exposed by floodwaters at sites in the above river catchments and washed downstream. Any vegetation fragments can grow into new plants. Asiatic knotweed is a highly destructive pest plant that is very persistent and difficult to destroy, due to the large mass of underground plant material.
In the UK, it is reviled for growing/pushing through concrete, asphalt and building foundations. This pest likes damp feet so most of our sites are by rivers, which is also how it likes to spread, though it can grow in dry areas too. This noxious weed is our highest concern in terms of spread and impacts. It is deciduous so won’t be obvious at this time of year but will show itself in the coming summers. It can remain underground and not obvious for easily 20 years.
Because of this we request that no soil, sediment or gravel is taken off-site in the following catchments.
- Sherry River
- Motueka River downstream of the Wangapeka/Motueka River confluence
- Pigeon Valley Stream downstream from Pigeon Valley Road
- Riwaka River downstream of the North and South Branch confluence.
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Tuesday 08 July
We have a large fully functioning team working on plans for recovery from this storm event.
But we understand that as the enormity of this event sinks in, people could be feeling overwhelmed dealing with getting their lives and properties back into some semblance of normality.
The recovery process is a journey, and we’re taking a phased approach to make sure our community is safe, supported, and stronger for the future. Here’s what you can expect:
• Immediate actions (first few weeks): Our priority is to address urgent needs and restore essential services. This includes clearing hazards, making slips safe, reopening roads, and ensuring everyone has access to water, power, and other basics. We’re working hard to make sure people can safely return to their homes and daily routines as soon as possible.
• Rebuilding and strengthening (next few months): Once the immediate needs are met, we’ll focus on repairing and reinforcing our infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and community facilities. We’ll also support people into longer-term accommodation where needed, and help our communities be more resilient for future events.
• Long-term recovery (ongoing): Some aspects of recovery, like major infrastructure improvements and community wellbeing initiatives, will take longer. We’re committed to working with central government, local organisations, and the community to ensure ongoing support and resources are available. Our goal for the region is to come back stronger together, at a pace that works for our community.
It’s important to recognise that recovering from this event will be a marathon, not a sprint. We’re in this together for the long haul, and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way. If you have questions or need support, please reach out to us.
Support is available:
If you need welfare support, help to get rid of waste, or want to report a risk including potential slips or dangerous trees, don’t hesitate to contact us on 03 543 8400. We have dedicated support people here to assist.
If you have been impacted by the floods you can access additional financial support through the Ministry of Social Development and by making an application to the Mayoral Relief Fund at tasman.govt.nz/mayoral-relief-fund, you can also pick up a paper copy of the application form from any of our Service Centres.
The government has also unlocked extra support for farmers and growers, with up to $100,000 available for recovery efforts.
For those of you on rural properties with a significant quantity of debris, the Rural Support Trust is available for advice and help. Call 0800 03 787254 or visit https://www.rural-support.org.nz/Regions/South-Island/Top-of-the-SouthCall(external link).
The key thing to remember is you’re not alone – we have the people, information and resources to help – please don’t be afraid to call us on our 24 hour phone number, 03 543 8400.
Useful Contacts:
• MPI: Animal Welfare — 0800 008 333
• MSD: Civil Defence Payments — 0800 559 009
• IRD: Tax Relief or Income Assistance — 0800 700 334
• LIFELINE: Mental Health Support — 0508 828 865
• Nelson Bay’s Primary Health (Psychosocial Support) — 03 539 1170
• Red Cross — 0800 733 27677
• Salvation Army — 0800 530 000
• Rural Support Trust — 0800 787 254
• Citizens Advice Bureau — 0800 367 222
• Tasman District Council — 03 543 8400