A rāhui across the Marlborough region, announced following the June-July weather event, has been lifted but Marlborough District Council is urging continued caution as awa/rivers and moana/ocean recovers.
Rangitāne o Wairau General Manager, Corey Hebberd said a rāhui was just one mechanism that could be used to implement health and safety for the community.
“When a rāhui is implemented, it covers all coastlines, river mouths and flood water and temporarily prevents the gathering of seafood and kai, along with swimming and entering the water,” he said.
“The decision to implement a rāhui sits with local iwi who are supported by a panel of experts including health, environmental scientists and those responding to the emergency.
“Following a flood event, debris and sewage may be present and a rāhui can be put in place due to the health and safety concerns the risk of contaminated coastlines and rivers creates. It allows the environment to recuperate and regenerate without the presence and impacts of people,” Mr Hebberd said.
Council has confirmed signage regarding the rāhui will be removed as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, work continues across Marlborough with Council’s Rivers team continuing their detailed assessment of flood damage across the Wairau Plain. A broad assessment has already been completed in the Wairau River, Taylor River and smaller tributaries.
Council’s Group Manager Recovery, Dean Heiford said that with wet weather forecast for next Tuesday, some sites would require monitoring and there was work currently underway to shore these up before the rain arrives.
“Thanks to the excellent work of contractors, several sites have already been repaired,” Mr Heiford said.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has also been clearing debris from the SH1 Wairau River Bridge near Tuamarina, north of Blenheim, this week. With river levels currently low, teams have been able to safely access the debris from both sides of the river to begin the clean-up. Elsewhere in the region, NZTA’s recovery efforts continue at several sites, including a washout at Andersons Bridge on SH63.
Mr Heiford said Council was very appreciative of all efforts by agencies including NZTA and contractors as the clean-up and repairs continue following the June-July weather event. This includes support from the Ministry for Primary Industries, which this week released a flood recovery checklist for farmers and growers to provide guidance and to help people prioritise tasks over the coming weeks and months.
“This could be particularly useful if people are dealing with property damage, silt and/or slips, or have lost productive pasture or supplementary feed,” Mr Heiford said.
For more information go to: www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/70251-Flood-recovery-checklist-for-farmers-and-growers/.
Other recovery information including support and advice can be found on Council’s website. Go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/civil-defence-emergency-management/june-2025-weather-event.
