Heavy rain continues to fall in Canterbury, raising fears of further evacuations and flooding, particularly in Ashburton where half of the town's residents are preparing to leave their homes.
Rivers have surged, roads have closed and there are fears about a coming high tide in Christchurch during what is being called a one-in-100-year downpour.
The Heathcote River in Christchurch has broken its banks and local authorities are warning that the next high tide will bring fresh flooding in the city.