Wild weather has hammered the top of the South Island, with flooding across the region and roads closed, while people are being urged to stay home.
Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter pilot Barry McAuliffe said the chopper was called out to the Motueka Valley at the confluence of the Baton River and Motueka River.
Carol McKeever/SUPPLIED
Dramatic chopper rescue of man from campervan surrounded by floodwater near Motueka.
He said a man had been camping out by the river for the past three days, and while he was sleeping the floodwaters had engulfed his vehicle and campervan.
To escape the man had to go up through the skylight and get onto the roof, where the helicopter picked him up and took him to safety, McAuliffe said.