Tasman

The region has been slammed with two major floods in the past two weeks and Earth Sciences New Zealand is forecasting more wet weather for later in July and into early August. Audio

About 28 families were cut off in parts of the Motueka Valley where damaged roads were impassable and could remain so for several months, Tasman District Council says. Video

Tasman's mayor warned the total repair bill from the back-to-back floods was likely to exceed $100 million.

The government has given the Mayoral Relief Fund $300,000 for the Nelson Tasman rural sector.

The popular biking trail is a lifeline for the local economy, bringing in $34m annually.

Residents are scrubbing mud off their driveways and retrieving items which floated away during two flooding events in recent weeks.

Jamie Hovenden watched his wife get picked up by floodwaters: "There was nothing I could do". Audio

Residents across the Tasman region say forestry slash has exacerbated flood damage. Audio

Byron McEnroe is counting his blessings despite the complete destruction of an uninsured $80,000 digger.

Tapawera residents continue to grapple with flood devastation, with some yet to return home.

Slips and storm damage have cut off access to the Kahurangi National Park from Tasman District.

A path of destruction has been cut through a rural settlement in Motueka Valley, with one local blaming slash, saying "thousands of tonnes of logs and silt" came down. Audio

Powerful floodwaters have displaced families and stunned locals as the Motueka River roared through the valley.

Bridges are gone, roads are destroyed, and some locals have been without water for over two weeks as flood recovery drags on.

Locals say a big clean-up is underway, after the river burst its banks.

A local business owner guided RNZ through the "warzone" caused by a flooded creek.