Heavy rainfall is currently causing widespread travel disruption, significant flooding, and numerous evacuations across parts of New Zealand, with the top of the South Island bearing the brunt of the severe weather. State of emergencies have been declared in the Nelson Tasman region and a local state of emergency in part of Marlborough due to the extensive rainfall, leading to dozens of homes being evacuated. In Nelson Tasman, evacuations are underway in Brightwater and Upper Moutere, with residents in Riwaka also on alert. Similarly, approximately 60 households in Spring Creek near Blenheim, Marlborough, were ordered to evacuate amidst concerns over a Wairau River stopbank.

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has been actively responding to the crisis, attending to 31 calls, rescuing individuals trapped in vehicles, assisting with evacuations, and pumping water from flooded homes. FENZ has also activated its Local Coordination Centre in Nelson to streamline response efforts across the upper South Island. Meanwhile, Auckland has experienced its own share of severe thunderstorms and torrential rain.

MetService has issued several severe weather warnings and watches nationwide. A red severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Thames Coromandel, Waikato, Hauraki, Western Bay of Plenty, Matamata Piako, and Franklin, while Auckland remains under a severe thunderstorm watch. Earlier warnings for Northland and Auckland have since been lifted. A heavy snow watch has been issued for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, and inland Dunedin and Clutha until Saturday noon. Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, specific parts of Nelson District and Marlborough, Dunedin, and Clutha with varying timeframes. Heavy rain watches also extend to other areas including parts of Nelson and Tasman Districts, North Otago, Southland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Taupō and northern Taihape, and Taranaki.

The severe weather has significantly impacted transportation, particularly cutting off the top of the South Island with numerous state highways closed. NZ Transport Agency advises drivers to exercise extreme caution in wet conditions. FENZ reiterated warnings against driving through floodwater, emphasizing the danger of unjudged water depth. Key road closures include SH6 between Havelock and Hira, and Kohatu and Richmond; SH60 between Richmond and Collingwood; and SH63 from Anglesea Street to St Arnaud. Additionally, SH6 in lower Buller is closed from Gorge to Inanghua. In Marlborough, Queen Charlotte Drive is closed at the Havelock end, Ronga Road is inaccessible from the SH6 intersection, and New Renwick Road is closed between Fairhall School and Dog Point Road, among others.

Air travel has also been disrupted, with dozens of domestic flights to and from Auckland Airport either cancelled or delayed due to the adverse weather. Auckland Airport reported 21 cancellations and 11 delays, predominantly affecting flights to regional destinations. Furthermore, a China Eastern Airlines flight from Hangzhou to Auckland was diverted to Christchurch due to the unsettled weather conditions.