Top of the South Neighbourhood Support

24/06/2026

MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the inland portion of Tasman District, west of Motueka for a 13-hour period from 11am this morning to midnight tonight.

The Heavy Rain Warning is at the lower end of the scale. The heaviest rain is expected to begin early this afternoon along the ranges around Golden Bay. Totals of 70 to 100 mm are forecast with peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h this afternoon. Rain is expected to slow near midnight with showers forecast through Thursday morning.

Winds are forecast to start northeasterly and become southerly as the front moves through. For the Aorere, Tākaka, and Motueka catchments, forecast flows are expected to remain well below annual flood levels. For the remainder of the District, main rivers are expected to rise only slightly and also remain well below annual flood levels. As always, localised bursts of heavier rain could still produce rapid, short-lived rises in small streams and drains.

Rainfall totals and intensities are modest and are not expected to trigger widespread landslips. No thunderstorm activity is forecast. Tides are relatively low and no storm surge is expected.

In summary, based on the current rainfall forecast, our Hydrology team have no concerns at this stage. However, if flooding would have severe consequences for you, please take a prudent approach and allow for the possibility of higher flows than currently forecast.

Links for more information:
• MetService warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -south.
• Road closures across the region: https://rebrand.ly/httfpkm
• River flow reports: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/flow-report/
• Rainfall reports: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/report/

22/06/2026

Our national theme for June is GET INVOLVED - Encouraging and celebrating volunteering!
This month we’re rolling up our sleeves, putting up our hands, and giving our time and skills to projects that make our neighbourhoods better places to live.
As a mostly volunteer-led organisation, our members know first hand the value and impact that a single volunteer can make in our communities. Imagine then how much can be achieved when several volunteers, or even an entire street or neighbourhood, decide to work together to achieve the same goal!
Whether you plan to coordinate a new volunteer driven activity, take part in one that’s already been setup, participate in National Volunteer Week (14-20 June), or simply give a big shout out to your existing volunteers this month, know that every bit of effort to give back is a priceless investment in all of our futures.
Want to share your thoughts? Let us know how you’re getting involved this month by tagging us in your social media posts!
Learn more about National Volunteer Week here: www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/campaigns/national-volunteer-week

11/06/2026

Don't get a fright on Sunday night!
Reminder for the annual Emergency Mobile Alert test anytime between 6-7pm.

04/06/2026

It's that time of year, beware of what appear to be cool ashes.

Yesterday Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade were called to a water tank on fire! 💧

How can that happen?

The homeowner had some ashes from their fireplace; they had waited a few days for them to cool before disposing of them in their compost bin next to the tank. Unfortunately a few days was not long enough!

🔥Hot tip: Ashes can take up 5 days to cool completely! We recommend hot ashes are emptied into a metal bin, water is poured over them and they are left to cool completely for 5 days.

01/06/2026

A possible sewerage leak has been identified at the Songer Street pump station. Council are issuing a precautionary no-contact advisory.

We’re asking the community to avoid swimming, wading, boating, paddle-boarding and any other water contact activities in the area until further notice.

Fishing and shellfish gathering should also be avoided until water quality monitoring results confirm it is safe to resume.

Water samples have been taken and results are expected in the coming days.

We’ll update the community as soon as more information becomes available.

01/06/2026

30/05/2026

Taking a few simple steps now can make a big difference, and even if conditions aren’t as severe where you are, there’s no harm in being prepared.
🔑For anyone who hasn’t yet, or who needs a reminder — if it is safe to do so:
✅Activate your neighbourhood plan and check on neighbours who may need assistance
✅Clear drains and gutters
✅Secure loose outdoor items
✅Move valuables and vehicles away from flood-prone areas
✅Relocate stock from low-lying land and bring pets indoors
✅Have essential supplies ready in case of power outages or road closures
✅Have a grab bag and evacuation plan ready
✅Do not enter floodwaters: it only takes a small amount of moving water to knock you off your feet or sweep a vehicle away.
✅Avoid unnecessary travel over this period. Conditions may deteriorate quickly, and roads may close with little warning.
✅Be prepared to self evacuate if you see rising water, feel unsafe, or notice conditions worsening.
✅Be aware of landslide risks, and keep well away from areas that have recently been affected by slips or landslides. If you notice cracks in the ground, tilting trees or power poles, unusual noises, or rapid changes in stream levels, leave immediately.
✅If at any time you feel you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk, please call emergency services on 111
📍Your local district council is the best place to both report issues with and get updates on, local infrastructure, such as local roads.

30/05/2026

30/05/2026

🟧 ‼️Orange Warnings issued for Significant Heavy Rain over northern and western part of the South Island.

Valid from Sunday morning to Monday night (western parts) or Tuesday morning (northern parts).

250mmto 450mm of rain is forecast. 📈

❓️The Tasman District northwest of Motueka has a moderate change of upgrading to a Red Warning, while the others are a low risk.

Impacts: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible. ❗️

⏱️Keep up to date with the latest forecasts as the trough is likely to bring heavy rain and northeast gales to the northern half of the North Island from Monday and more warnings are likely to be issued in the coming days.

Check the details here
www.metservice.com/warnings/home

30/05/2026

It looks like a wet long weekend ahead, Tasman | te tai o Aorere! MetService has issued a couple of Orange Heavy Rain Warnings for parts of our District starting 6am Sunday 31 May through to 3am Tuesday 2 June.

At this stage, the event is expected to be at least a moderate event with some potential for higher impacts for both Golden Bay/Tākaka Hill and the eastern hills over Richmond and Nelson.

Forecast rainfall totals:
- Tasman northwest of Motueka: 350-450mm, up to 600mm about the peaks; intensity of 20-30 mm/hr. Thunderstorms are possible on Monday, for Tasman northwest of Motueka.
- Richmond and Bryant Ranges (including Rai Valley): 300-400mm; intensity of 15-25 mm/hr.

Current forecast shows rainfall totals similar to the previous event in early May, which saw about 500mm of rainfall in the hills above Golden Bay and nearly 350mm in the eastern hills. That event resulted in annual to 5-year floods in the major rivers, so we expect similar flows at a minimum for this event.

This event is forecast as broad-scale heavy rain, with some instability near the end of the event on Monday, resulting in potential thunderstorms for the warning area around Golden Bay. MetService is not expecting wind watches or warnings to be issued at this time. However, there is considerable uncertainty at this early point, so please keep an eye on the MetService forecast over the long weekend.

As this is a long weekend, it would be prudent to take care with any travelling or outdoor festivals and keep informed on the weather. It will be wet right through the day on Monday, and travel around areas of Golden Bay/Tākaka Hill and SH6 between Nelson and Blenheim have a high chance of being impacted.

Links for more information:
• MetService warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -south.
• Road closures across the region: https://rebrand.ly/httfpkm
• River flow reports: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/flow-report/
• Rainfall reports: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/report/