Watch: Kris Faafoi addresses media after flooding, evacuations in South Island Newshub 6 hrs ago This livestream has finished. Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi held a press conference after parts of the South Island were flooded and areas were evacuated. A State of Emergency was declared in the Marlborough District on Saturday, with around 900 people evacuated from their homes as heavy rainfall caused significant flooding. Residents in Renwick, Spring Creek, Tuamarina, and the Lower Wairau were given evacuation orders on Saturday. Initially, Renwick residents were the lucky ones able to return to their homes on Sunday, but the Marlborough District Council has now given everyone the all-clear.