Homes red-stickered, highway closed as Kaikōura state of emergency lifts

Kaikōura's mayor says the state of emergency has been lifted as the district moves into the recovery phase.

Kaikōura District Council declared a state of emergency last Tuesday, after torrential rain led to widespread flooding and the Kowhai River burst its banks which resulted in parts of the town being evacuated.

State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura to Cheviot and the Inland Kaikoura Road (Inland Route 70) remain closed due to slips and washouts.

People who want to travel further north on SH1 than Cheviot have to take the longer inland route via State Highways 7, 65, 6 and 63.

Mayor Craig Mackle said the council's recovery priorities are restoring safe road and bridge access and ensuring the welfare of residents.

He said two houses had been red-stickered due to landslide risk, and four houses yellow-stickered with another two likely to also be yellow-stickered.

Waitaki District Council, further south, had lifted its local state of emergency last week.

The destructive southerly system made its way up the South Island last week, with heavy rain, flooding and strong winds reaching the lower North Island.

Kaikōura farmer Adam McManaway lost fences and feed when three rivers crossing his farm breached their banks.

A Kaikōura motel manager said he had to cancel bookings after floodwaters swept through all the units.