Flood recovery - whānau information

The rāhui put in place to protect health and allow environmental recovery following recent floods in Te Tauihu has been lifted.

If either of the last two weather events affected you or your property, there’s a chance the next round of bad weather may do so again. Roads that suffered slips and flooding may do so again.

The good news is that we have a couple of days to get prepared.

Now is a good time to assess your personal situation and stock up on supplies if you need to.

Here are a few tips to help you get ready.

• Keep up to date with MetService weather forecasts.
• Is your emergency kit up to date? Make sure you have food and water to last three days, and a battery-powered radio to stay informed.
• Do you have a plan? What would happen if the heavy rainfall happens during the day or at night? Make sure you are ready if the weather did turn bad.
• Check on your neighbours and anyone who might need your help.
• Put safety first. Don’t take any chances.
•  In an emergency, call 111.
•  Do not attempt to drive or walk through floodwaters unless it is essential.

Go to https://getready.govt.nz/ for more tips on how to prepare.

When times are tough, it is normal to feel a bit worried, frustrated or overwhelmed. As we recover, going back to basics and focussing on the thing we can control, can really help.

Top tips for looking after yourself and others can be found at:

• www.allright.org.nz/coping-tough-times
• http://www.sparklers.org.nz/.../supporting-kids-after.../
• www.farmstrong.co.nz/
• He Waka Ora

If you or someone you know is struggling, there is free help available.

• Free call or text 1737 anytime, 24 hours a day.
• You can also call Lifeline on 0800543354 or text HELP to 4357.

If you have health questions, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Healthline is staffed by experienced registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an emergency, always call 111.

Nelson Bays Primary Health provides fully funded GP appointments for individuals directly impacted by the floods. They understand the impact the floods have had on our community and are here to support you and your whānau in accessing the care you need.

To contact Nelson Bays Primary Health phone 0800 731 317, email info@nbph.org.nz , or visit www.nbph.org.nz

Guidance and support is available to get you back on your feet after the floods.

If you need help working through this confusing process, specially appointed navigators can help you out.

Navigators can support you through the recovery process for damaged homes and land by providing a single contact point for all your questions.
The navigator’s role is to support you to access the right services, at the right time, through connection with appropriate wrap-around recovery support agencies. These agencies are all working with the same goal in mind – to get you back into your property when it is safe.

The service is designed to empower individuals and whānau to help increase resilience and self-reliance so you can get through this and move forward with your lives.

To get in touch with one of our navigators call us at Tasman District Council on 543 8400 

Any requests for help should go directly to the Student Volunteer Army.

• Visit their website www.sva.org.nz/nelsontasman25
• Phone 0508 782 782
• e-mail Hello@sva.org.nz

If you’d like to make a financial contribution to the emergency please do so through the Mayoral Relief Fund. If you would like to donate to the Nelson-Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund please deposit funds into the Tasman District Council bank account:

• Account number: 12-3193-0002048-00
• Account name: Tasman District Council
• Please use the reference “Mayoral Relief Fund”, or “MRF”
• If you are asked to select a TDC account, select the Debtors account. This will allow you to edit the first and third reference boxes, as shown below.(Your name) | Debtors | Relief Fund
• Alternatively, you may donate at a Tasman District Council office.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koe. Your generosity and willingness to help will bring hope and healing where it’s needed most.

• Contact your insurance provider in first instance and document all waste and related costs

Unfortunately the deadline for free dumping of flood damaged materials has expired.

If you still have waste to get rid of, contact the council on 543 8400 and see how they can help.

If you need on-site advice, please contact Council and we’ll arrange a waste advisor to visit you, and give advice on waste disposal options for you. 

• Prioritise on-site management and reuse where appropriate
• Apply to the Mayoral fund for assistance if appropriate
• Apply for a primary sector recovery grant if appropriate
• Emphasise health and safety through safe handling of contaminated materials
• Don’t burn prohibited items (e.g., plastics netting, irrigation piping, baleage wrap, rubber (tyres) and treated timber)
• Keep silt/sediment contained and document any material movement to reduce risk of spreading pests such as Asiatic knotweed.

https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/flood-recovery/what-to-do-with-your-flood-related-waste

A flood recovery checklist for flood-affected farmers and growers in the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough areas is now available on MPI’s website.

It has helpful information, tips and hints like this helpful checklist.

• You’re not alone Reach out to neighbours, industry bodies, Rural Support Trust, MPI, councils, and community support networks.
• Safety first Prioritise yourself, your people, animals, and property before recovery work.
• Celebrate what you’ve already achieved You’re on the journey!
• “Functional over fabulous” Focus first on what gets things working again.
• Know your key drivers Identify and prioritise the key things that sustains your business.
•  Simple plan, small steps Keep it short, break it down, and take it one task at a time.
• Track progress visually. Use a whiteboard or fridge list to celebrate daily wins.
• Play the long game Recovery takes time; aim for stability by next summer.
• Breathe and reset Take breaks, get off-farm, and protect your mental health.

This can be used as a digital document or printed. Here is the link: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/70251-Flood-recovery-checklist-for-farmers-and-growers/

Find out what support is available to help the primary sector and assist the clean-up and recovery. It can be found on this web page for the adverse event: 

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-rural-support/adverse-events/recovery-after-floods-in-nelson-marlborough-and-tasman-in-mid-2025/

If you want to test your water for bacterial contamination, it can be tested for e.coli as an indicator of contamination. A laboratory can do the test.

Cawthron Laboratories - Cawthron Institute Nelson, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010 Ph 03 548 2319

or Hills Laboratory - Drinking Water Testing | Hill Labs 0508 44 555 22
+64 7 858 2000 (Landline)

• Keep boiling or treating the water until the test results come back with a satisfactory result.
• The safe limit for e.coli is zero, which may be written on the result as <1.

The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai has valuable advice about drinking water safety on its website. https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-communities/emergencies/drinking-water-following-a-flood/(external link)

There’s also a list of water testing laboratories on the website at https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-water-suppliers/using-an-accredited-laboratory-to-test-your-drinking-water/

https://info.health.nz/keeping-healthy/protecting-health-natural-disaster/floods-and-health

MPI: Animal Welfare — 0800 008 333

MSD: Civil Defence Payments — 0800 559 009

IRD: Tax Relief or Income Assistance — 0800 700 334

LIFELINE: Mental Health Support — 0508 828 865

Nelson Bay’s Primary Health (Psychosocial Support) — 03 539 1170

Red Cross — 0800 733 27677

Salvation Army — 0800 530 000

Rural Support Trust — 0800 787 254

Citizens Advice Bureau — 0800 367 222

Tasman District Council — 03 543 8400

View roading and flood recovery information on the Marlborough District Council website