Lyttelton residents evacuated after a landslip earlier this week returned to their homes on Friday afternoon, as the clean-up continued throughout Canterbury in the wake of a severe storm.
People living on Brittan Terrace and Park Terrace were forced from their homes after part of a cliff face collapsed into a fuel tank near the port.
The Christchurch City Council said its geotechnical staff and the Fire Service have assessed the area and agreed it is safe for residents and traffic to return.
The Fire Service said it would take one more day to pump the remaining fuel from the damaged tank into two holding tanks.
It said while the fuel is cleaned up there would be no access to Godley Quay from the dry dock down to the marina; the Lyttelton Recreation Ground would also be closed over the weekend.
About 1500 litres of fuel leaked into Lyttelton Harbour through a stormwater system, which has now been blocked.
A Ministry of Education spokesperson says all schools affected by the flood re-opened on Friday.
Fewer than 20 houses remain without power, mostly in the Banks Peninsula area.
Roads closed
Slips and fallen debris continue to keep some Canterbury roads closed. They include: Western Valley Road, between Little River and Port Levy; Canterbury Street from Ripon Street in Lyttelton; Pigeon Bay Road to Port Levy; Frasers Road; Whites Road; Gap Road.
However, State Highway 75 and Gebbies Pass is open, as is Dyers Pass Road.
At the height of the flooding. Photo: RNZ / Nicola Grigg