NZTA had been testing the damaged bridge through Tuesday afternoon and evening.

We can't call it a 'one-in-100 year' event, but can say climate change likely contributed.

"A big clean up job lies ahead of us," PM Jacinda Ardern says.

KiwiRail boss says repairs will take days.

Water levels slowly easing as hundreds of people plan to return to evacuated homes.

All other road options south from Ashburton are closed.

Bridges washed out, whole farms under water, as sun comes out.

Mop-ups under way already but torrential rain continues to fall.

People in parts of Canterbury are being ordered to head to higher ground.

Ashburton is preparing for mass evacuations as the river rises and heavy rain continues.

Forecaster says an "atmospheric traffic jam" is helping drive wild weather in Canterbury.

Heathcote River in Chch has broken its banks and next high tide will bring new flooding.

Floodwaters in Canterbury have exceeded warnings "by a huge magnitude", Fed Farmers says.

The matter was expected to come back to council later this week.

Fire crews are still on the scene.

Given the logistics, Chatham Islands residents to get their Covid-19 vaccines in one hit.

Ashburton appeared on a handful of lists of one of the worst town slogans in the country.

Hilsley Short was left anxious and stressed about providing for his family.

Inquest into the death of a mother and her two young children begins.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said they were called to the blaze at about 6.23am.

Maritime NZ says it was lucky nobody died.

Firefighters responded to two house fires in the South Island overnight.

Emergency services called to fire about 11pm.

Good day sunshine? Some towns and cities have enjoyed 50 per cent more sun than others.

"We're very reluctant to let it go," Owner Kevin Stewart said.

A front making its way up the country is expected to peter out as it moves north.

A Moment In Crime podcast looks at the case of Southland toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank.

Waka Kotahi NZTA has revealed where the worst traffic hotspots are predicted to be today.