A tree across SHW 6 on Wednesday at 4pm - 1km south of Irimahuwhero Point on the Coast Road - just north of Punakaiki. Photo: Supplied / Richard Arlidge
The West Coast is set to get the worst of the torrential rain that has been drenching parts of the region.
MetService said up to 450mm of rain hit Westland on Wednesday and another 350mm is forecast by 9pm on Thursday.
There are eight orange heavy rain warnings in the South Island, and parts of the North, which is forecast to be hit by a front also bringing strong wind overnight on Thursday.
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The Waiho River at Franz Josef and the Hokitika River in the Hokitika Gorge have crossed alert thresholds.
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Follow Thursday's weather updates with RNZ's blog: