Disruption continues across much of New Zealand this weekend as the effects of stormy weather continue to be felt, with more travel delays and roads and property in various states of repair.
Thousands of people have been stranded in airports and holiday spots around the country, as airlines struggle to clear a backlog of travellers amid peak school holiday numbers.
This morning, flights have been cancelled in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington, with more expected throughout the day.
This week Air New Zealand cancelled more than 200 flights in a 48-hour period.
Many of the flights able to take off were delayed while crews were scraped together amid reduced staffing because of sickness.
Those travelling by road would not be immune to delays either - damage to roads had left a number of state highways and local roads with partial closures or reduced speed due to flood damage, and drivers have been urged to take extra care.
Timaru residents allowed home, warning system in place
Urgent repairs continue today on the flood-damaged Opihi River stopbank in the Timaru district.
A section directly in front of the Mill Road Huts was scoured away by storm surges in the river on Tuesday.
Residents were evacuated but have since been allowed back to their homes, with a warning system in place to alert them if the water flow exceeds 50 cumecs.
An alarm will provide a three-hour advance notice if evacuation is required.
Timaru also still has an urgent conserve water notice in place until further notice.
Call to nationalise flood protection works
The Canterbury Regional Council has called on the Government to open its flood protection wallet.
The call comes as mayors from across the country met in Wellington this week for a Local Government NZ meeting, where the challenges from climate change and how to respond were discussed.
Millions of dollars in costs was run up in storm-effects this week, to be covered mostly by regional councils across the country to deal with flooding, bridge wash-outs, slips and repairs to roads.
Many mayors voiced the desire for central government to begin working more closely with regional councils on the issue, and to provide greater support.
Ashburton councillor Ian Mackenzie wants the Government to invest $150 million a year to co-fund flood protection infrastructure across the country.
Mackenzie told Local Democracy Reporting it was more cost-effective to fund preventative measures than pay for clean-ups.
The regional council already spends about $15 million annually on flood mitigation.
Slips, road hazards continue in Wellington region
A slip has blocked part of State Highway 2 on the Featherston side of the Remutaka hill in Wairarapa.
Waka Kotahi/ NZ Transport Agency said the southbound lane toward Wellington was blocked at the base of the hill and traffic management was in place and drivers should take care on the road.
Wellington City Council also warned road users to watch out for slips and other hazards in the next few days as saturated soil continues to move.
Council spokesman Richard MacLean said the slip blocking Lennel Rd in Wadestown was the largest, but there were dozens of others.
"That slip has got bigger ...and so now there is an estimated between 300 to 400 cubic metres of rock and dirt blocking the cutting.
"There are lots more small slips coming down around town during the day... and there's probably going to be more slips, so our advice to motorists is just to take it easy - especially on twisty roads where you can't see around corners.
"Watch out, because even if it's just a few rocks or boulders on the road it cane be really hazardous, especially for cyclists or motorcyclists."
MacLean said council contractors would continue to work over the weekend to clear the Lennel Rd slip and other damage.
Lower Hutt also had warnings out for ongoing slip risks after two large landslips closed the two southbound lanes on Eastern Hutt Road on Thursday night.
The slips affected two properties which were now classified as dangerous buildings.
Hutt City Council said forecasted rain next week could increase the level of risk. Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry said the main priority now was taking steps to keep people safe.
Search for owner of boat sunk at Porirua
Council officials are looking for the owner of a launch which sank at Porirua after it was rammed by a yacht in Thursday's storm.
Staff from the regional council went out on Porirua harbour in rough conditions and managed to save the yacht, which had snapped its moorings. Unfortunately the launch sank.
A spokesperson says the launch appears to be abandoned, and Greater Wellington will work with Porirua City Council to dispose of it.
Meanwhile, more than $11,000 has been donated through Givealittle so far to the owner of an uninsured catamaran-houseboat, which was destroyed when it was blown ashore in Lowry Bay in Wellington Harbour during Thursday's storm.
