Several roads are already closed across the Tasman district. Photo: Tasman District CouncilThe Tasman District Council is asking people to stay off the roads as the storm battering the country hits the top of the South Island. Mārahau was currently inaccessible as Riwaka-Sandy Bay Road and Kaiteriteri-Sandy Bay Road are closed due to flooding and rockfall. Further north, rain was starting to clear out from Northland this morning after it got a battering overnight. Makgabutlane says the areas most likely to experience downpours from those thunderstorms will be Northland, the central North Island and the west coast of the South Island.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 27, 2026 01:45 UTC