Rivers and floodwaters are receding in the upper South Island after heavy rain overnight closed roads and forced families near Nelson to evacuate their homes.
At least 10 houses were evacuated in Hope, near Richmond on the outskirts of Nelson, amid concerns over rising streams feeding off the Richmond Hill.
Some roads in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough remained closed today due to slips and surface flooding, but rivers and floodwaters were now receding.
Civil Defence spokesman Chris Choat said the weather was expected to clear and authorities were now focused on cleaning up.
The Fire Service this morning helped residents leave flood-threatened homes in the Ranzau Rd area, while a number of households left on their own.
Civil Defence was now assessing the properties for damage.
Senior Sergeant Stu Koefoed of Nelson police said the Wairoa River had caused concern this morning after its flow increased from 20 cubic metres per second to a peak of about to 1200cu m.
Mr Koefoed said the worst had now passed.
"We're just in recovery mode now -- short but intense," he told NZPA.
Mr Koefoed said the bridge on State Highway 6 at Brightwater, southwest of Richmond, was this morning closed for monitoring, but had since reopened.
However, a number of roads between the two towns remained closed, including Ranzau Rd, Paton Rd and the Aniseed Valley.
In Marlborough, surface flooding and minor slips have closed SH6 at Canvastown between Havelock and the Rai Valley, while caution was advised on SH63 between St Arnaud and Renwick.
In the Tasman District, State Highway 60 was closed at Waitapu near Pupu Springs, while Abel Tasman Drive was closed near the Wainui Falls.
The Aorere Valley Rd in Golden Bay remained closed and speed restrictions were in place over the Takaka Hill.
Motorists were advised to drive with caution throughout the affected districts due to the risk of isolated slips or surface flooding.
Mr Choat said tensions had been "a wee bit high" in the Aorere Valley after floods in December last year caused millions of dollars of damage.
There was some surface flooding in the area, although that was to be expected several times a year and today's flooding was no worse than usual.
The MetService this morning said the front that was driving the heavy rain was expected to pass over the upper South Island today and move across much of the North Island.
Heavy rain was expected in Wellington, the Tararua Ranges, Taranaki, the central North Island hill country, and the eastern Bay of Plenty. Heavy rain may also affect Northland, Auckland and Waitomo.
Rivers and streams in these areas could rise rapidly, and surface flooding and slips were possible.
Police and the Fire Service said there were no reports so far of weather-related incidents in the lower North Island.
