Mr Raine said there were safety issues to consider when reopening roads after snow or flooding.
''While it is still snowing or visibility is bad we can't put machine operators at risk,'' he said yesterday.
Some residents in the Macraes-Moonlight-Nenthorn area, the worst-hit part of the Waitaki district in last week's snow dump, have criticised the time it took to get graders into the area to clear roads.
Mr Raine responded that it was difficult until snow stopped because of the depth of snow on the road and the safety of operators.
''I think we did a pretty good job,'' Mr Raine said.
This weekend, Mr Raine intends to go to Macraes and talk to property owners in the area, discussing any issues and whether residents need further assistance.
Yesterday, 18 roads in the district were still listed as closed because of flooding or damage. On another 17 roads motorists were advised to be cautious because of detours, slips, damage, snow or ice.
Some of those which had been opened were only passable in four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Mr Raine did not believe anyone in the Macraes area remained cut off, either by flood damage or snow. Those on closed roads had alternative access or other means of getting out.
The issue now was keeping a watch on rivers as snow started to melt, especially with warmer westerly conditions predicted for the weekend. With the ground so saturated by heavy rain, any melting snow would run off.
Water schemes were back on, but some still had restrictions because of discoloured water, and consumers were being told to conserve and boil water.
