Police rue terrible start to Queens Birthday long weekend.

"This is an absolute tragedy," area commander Inspector David Gaskin said.

The extended state of emergency provides reassurance for farmers in the recovery phase.

South Island's rail network took a battering.

The crossing has been closed on and off since Tuesday.

Air Force crew risked own lives to save trio caught in 'raging torrents' in Canterbury.

NZTA had been testing the damaged bridge through Tuesday afternoon and evening.

We can't call it a 'one-in-100 year' event, but can say climate change likely contributed.

"A big clean up job lies ahead of us," PM Jacinda Ardern says.

All other road options south from Ashburton are closed.

Bridges washed out, whole farms under water, as sun comes out.

Mop-ups under way already but torrential rain continues to fall.

People in parts of Canterbury are being ordered to head to higher ground.

River levels have been falling but it could take two or three more days to drain.

Dozens of schools are closed and residents are on standby as heavy rain continues to fall.

Ashburton is preparing for mass evacuations as the river rises and heavy rain continues.

Forecaster says an "atmospheric traffic jam" is helping drive wild weather in Canterbury.

Heathcote River in Chch has broken its banks and next high tide will bring new flooding.

Fire crews are still on the scene.

Given the logistics, Chatham Islands residents to get their Covid-19 vaccines in one hit.

Ashburton appeared on a handful of lists of one of the worst town slogans in the country.

Hilsley Short was left anxious and stressed about providing for his family.

Teenage sisters Tayla and Sunmara Alexander died in the November 2019 crash.

Inquest into the death of a mother and her two young children begins.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said they were called to the blaze at about 6.23am.

Maritime NZ says it was lucky nobody died.

Firefighters responded to two house fires in the South Island overnight.

Emergency services called to fire about 11pm.