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| The Waimea River flooding a little under the Appleby Bridge |
Good Morning, Good Morning RICHMOND — The Tasman District has breathed a collective sigh of relief this week after a multi-day deluge over the Kings Birthday weekend that left the region largely unscathed.
Despite heavy orange rain warnings and widespread anxiety, the weather event proved to be remarkably mild compared to the devastating floods of recent years.
A few road closures remained in place across the district while roading crews waited for local floodwaters to recede.
Many low-lying rural areas experienced slight surface flooding, and Tasman's Great Taste Trail suffered localised damage in several places.
The broader region initially braced for far more significant disruption as MetService issued strict alerts for parts of the district.
Memory of the estimated $50 million worth of flood damage from mid-2025 remained fresh for local communities. However, initial reports indicated that the regional infrastructure generally held up well against the elements.
Resilience in Golden Bay and Minor Surface Flooding
Speaking to Pigeon Post News, Tasman District Council Communications Officer Tim O'Connell confirmed that the district bypassed any major flooding catastrophes.
"We got a bit of surface flooding in the vicinity of the upper Wai-iti but only one property evacuated," O'Connell said. "Golden Bay had some massive rain totals but they are somewhat resilient to inclement weather." O'Connell also noted that while monitoring systems flagged localised spikes near Richmond, the urban centre managed to escape the worst of the weather. "Richmond suburbia wasn’t too bad either — a couple of rising water alarms near Easby Park (Reservoir Creek), but overall, we avoided any flooding issues."
By the Numbers: Official Catchment Totals
Data from the final Tasman District Council Hydrology team report reveals exactly where the heavy rain concentrated.
Headwaters took a massive hammering, with peak event totals reaching 739mm near Paradise Peak in the Golden Bay ranges. Canaan Downs in the Abel Tasman area recorded 673mm, while Slaty Peak in the Richmond and Bryant Ranges tracked 616mm of accumulation.
Managed totals were significantly lower on the flats, with Tākaka township recording 189mm, Collingwood 105mm, and Motupiko 76mm.
The extreme range rainfall triggered significant 10-to-20-year flood flows for the Wairoa and Waimea rivers. The Tākaka and Wai-iti rivers peaked at safer 5-year levels, while the Riuwaka hit a 10-year flow peak.
A Fine Balance
Tasman Mayor Tim King states that balancing public safety with avoiding unnecessary panic is a "fine balance" during severe weather events. To improve accuracy and prevent overstating threats, a new $5 million local rain radar will replace Tasman District relying on distant Wellington radar, which will enable more precise warnings to protect the region from destructive flooding like that seen in high-country areas, while avoiding overstating threats to the lowlands. Read the full story at Radio New Zealand.
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| Floodwaters backed up behind Tasman's Great Taste Trail |
Local Tracks and Trails Face Disruptions
Local recreation networks and trail monitors are advising outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution as surface water recedes across the district. On the Great Taste Trail, the section from Lower Queen Street to Redwood Road remains completely closed due to floodwater after the Waimea River rose significantly. Additionally, the unpaved paper road section of Higgins Road in Wakefield, between the end of the sealed road and Edward Street, is closed due to deep surface flooding.
In regards to the cycle trails, all Kingsland Mountain Bike Tracks have been completely shut down and will remain closed for the next few days. Forestry and council teams are currently moving into the area to clear downed trees and recent slips caused by the heavily saturated soil.
MetService Local Forecast Today:
The weather provider outlines the following:
- Friday 5 June (Today):
MetService have issued a Heavy Rain Watch
Period: 13hrs from 7am - 8pm Fri, 5 Jun
Area: Buller and the Tasman Ranges
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Issued: 8:48pm Thu 4 Jun
Next update: 10:00am Fri 5 Jun
- Saturday 6 June: The weather clears up beautifully across the Top of the South, bringing a mainly fine start to the weekend with light winds. There is just a small, residual chance of an isolated light shower lingering before completely drying out in the afternoon.
- Sunday 7 June: A stable, classic winter pattern settles over the district. The day is locked in to be completely fine and clear, though cooler southwesterlies will develop later in the evening.
Useful Links for Local Monitoring
- Track active regional changes via the MetService Severe Weather Warnings Home Page.
- Check real-time road conditions and closures on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.
- Review live water statistics via the Tasman District Council River Flow Reports.
- Read detailed district metrics on the Tasman District Council Rainfall Reports.
As we look forward to the winter skies clearing up this weekend, a massive thank you goes out to our local roading crews, first responders, and hydrologists for keeping us well-informed and safe. Keep warm, check in on your neighbours, and we will catch you in the next update!
— Your friends at Pigeon Post News, Richmond.
