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February 18, 2026

Housing Market – Subdued start to 2026 as NZ housing market begins rebuilding confidence – Cotality

Source: Cotality

New Zealand’s property market has started 2026 in a subdued fashion with little movement in prices and lower sales transactions despite improved affordability, more favourable mortgage rates and a gradually strengthening economy.

The Cotality NZ February Monthly Housing Chart Pack shows national median property values fell a modest -0.3% over the three months to January, taking values 17.5% below the 2022 peak. Auckland and Wellington continued to underperform, while markets such as Dunedin and Invercargill were more resilient in January. Parts of Canterbury also remain relatively stronger than elsewhere.

Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the flat performance in property values may disappoint some vendors, but it offers improved opportunities for buyers.

“The predictability of current conditions is reassuring for buyers, who are continuing to adjust to the recent experience of stable prices and lower mortgage rates,” Mr Davidson said.

“With affordability gradually improving and employment conditions set to strengthen slowly this year, there’s a growing sense of cautious optimism, even if the recovery will be measured rather than sharp. Debt to income ratio caps remain important to watch.”
Cotality data shows first home buyers’ market share dipped in January from 28.3% in Q4 to 26.2%, however Mr Davidson said the number of deals occurring remained strong. “This was a slightly smaller share of a bigger pie.”

Mortgaged multiple property owners, including ‘Mum and Dad’ investors, were also a steady influence in the market likely due to lower interest rates and reduced cashflow top-ups on rental properties.

Softer sales in January likely a blip in upwards trend

January sales volumes, measured across both private deals and real estate agents, were -10.7% below the same month in 2025, marking only the third fall in the past 33 months.
Mr Davidson was unconcerned about the sluggish start to the year, because there’s a suspicion that some deals may have been rushed through into December (which saw strong growth), artificially subduing the figures for January.
“If you take December and January together, the upwards trend remained in place. We’d expect to see more sales growth activity in 2026 on the back of reduced mortgage rates and a recovering economy,” he said.
“Our Buyer Classification data also showed hints of more activity from relocating owner-occupiers, or movers. It’s early days and not a trend yet. But a slowly recovering economy could lift movers’ confidence to trade up, reinforcing the prospect of more housing activity this year.”

Rents reset after years of growth

New Zealand’s rental market has softened as net migration has fallen sharply and the number of properties available to rent remains elevated. With rents already stretched relative to incomes and wage growth easing, Mr Davidson said there is limited scope for further increases and that recent falls, while rare, reflect a reset after a period of very strong growth.

The MBIE bonds data shows in the three months to December the median national rent was 0.8% lower than the same period a year earlier. Wellington recorded one of the most significant changes in median rent, down about 10% to $582 a week. Hamilton and Tauranga have also recorded declines, while Auckland has edged slightly lower. Christchurch and Dunedin have held up better with modest growth recorded.
“Rents rose quickly when migration was surging and supply was tight. Now there are more listings, population growth has slowed, and tenants simply don’t have the capacity to keep absorbing large increases,” he said.
“It’s hard to see a sharp rebound from here. The more likely path is a period of flat or only very modest growth while the market adjusts.”

Confidence slowly rebuilding

As lower mortgage rates and improved affordability begin to provide some confidence for both buyers and sellers, Mr Davidson said it was likely behaviour would shift, activity would improve and 2026 would be a year of gradual growth for sales and prices.
“Affordability has improved to its best position in several years, mortgage rates have eased, and listings are gradually drifting lower. Those factors combined are helping to steady the market and should support a lift in sales activity through 2026,” he said.
“Other considerations include borrowers who are rolling off higher fixed rates onto cheaper loans, which will help free up cashflow for some households and should the labour market slowly gather steam as expected, that sets the scene for modest price growth rather than a sharp rebound.”
The Cotality NZ Monthly Housing Chart Pack, February 2025 provides the latest breakdown of sales, listings, mortgage lending activity, buyer classification, property values, rental trends, and economic indicators.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/housing-market-subdued-start-to-2026-as-nz-housing-market-begins-rebuilding-confidence-cotality/

February 18, 2026

Employment Research – Strategic hiring, rising pay pressures and a borderless workforce – Robert Walters

Source: Robert Walters

Robert Walters identifies New Zealand’s key labour and salary trends for 2026

Auckland, New Zealand, 18th Feb 2026 - 2026 will be a year of strategic hiring, increased pressure on salaries, and rising workforce mobility across New Zealand, according to new research from global talent solutions partner Robert Walters.  

The findings come from its latest Salary Guide, launching today, which surveyed over 2,300 white-collar New Zealand professionals across 12 different industries.  

Shay Peters, CEO, Robert Walters Australia & New Zealand: ”The New Zealand labour market is showing a renewed sense of optimism, but caution remains. Businesses are hiring again, skills shortages persist, and employees are carefully weighing where they work, what they earn, and whether to relocate. This combination is reshaping the workforce: organisations face pressure to attract and retain talent, address capability gaps, and balance pay with cost-of-living concerns, while employees are increasingly strategic about career moves and mobility. How companies respond now will have a direct impact on productivity, growth, and their ability to secure and retain the talent they need for success in the future.” 

Key labour market trends  

Hiring rebounds, but jobseekers remain cautious after 2025 turmoil

Market confidence is gradual but strengthening, with 76% of New Zealand businesses planning to hire in 2026, up from 66% in 2025. 

Hiring demand varies regionally. Canterbury leads hiring intent at 78%, followed by Auckland (75%) and Wellington (72%). 

Despite this uplift in business confidence, employee mobility has cooled. 53% of New Zealand professionals are considering a role change this year, down from 63% in 2025, suggesting a more cautious workforce. 

Shay comments: ”Hiring intent has increased since last year, signalling that businesses are ready to move forward. However, employees are taking a more considered approach. From conversations we’ve been having with job seekers, we know the unstable condition of the 2025 labour market is making people concerned about job prospects in 2026. Economic uncertainty over the past year has made many professionals very risk-aware. The labour market is gradually rebalancing, rather than surging.” 

Salary growth remains modest as cost-of-living pressures persist

In 2025, 57% of New Zealand professionals received a pay rise, although most increases fell within the modest 2.5%-5% range, limiting their real impact. 

67% of New Zealand businesses intend to offer salary increases in 2026, while 56% of professionals expect one. 

42% of employees feel underpaid, but 83% of employers believe salaries are keeping pace with the cost of living, highlighting a perception gap. 

Salary dissatisfaction varies regionally. In Canterbury, 46% of professionals do not believe their salary matches the cost of living. In Auckland this stands at 42%, and in Wellington 39%. 

Shay comments: ”As businesses come out of last year’s restructures, organisations have an opportunity to reassess remuneration. Where salary increases are not feasible, employers must focus on career progression, flexibility, and skills development. It’s no secret the movement of New Zealand talent to Australia is well underway. Dissatisfaction around pay is a high retention risk, especially as overseas markets actively target New Zealand talent.” 

Skills shortages squeeze productivity across key sectors

Skills shortages remain critical, with 81% of New Zealand employers experiencing gaps over the past year. 

Regional pressure varies, with 52% of Auckland employers reporting shortages, followed by Wellington (49%) and Canterbury (39%). 

The most acute gaps are in industry-specific expertise (52%), digital and technology capability (37%), and leadership skills (31%) - these areas closely linked to productivity and organisational performance. 

Hiring challenges are compounded by unsuitable applicants (62%) and a lack of formal qualifications (53%). 

 Shay comments: ”Skills shortages are a severe productivity issue. When capability gaps persist, delivery slows and growth opportunities are missed. 

New Zealand organisations must take a long-term view, investing in leadership development, digital capability, and structured workforce planning. Skills gaps directly impact productivity and growth, and with more talent continuing to move to Australia, this challenge will intensify unless decisive action is taken now. Waiting for the market to correct itself is no longer a viable strategy in a competitive global talent landscape.” 

AI adoption accelerates, but concerns remain

AI integration is gaining momentum. 86% of New Zealand businesses are actively promoting AI, and 70% of employers say AI skills are important. 

Adoption at employee level is already high, with 69% using AI in their roles. However, 51% express concern about AI’s future impact on their job.

Shay comments: ”New Zealand businesses are embracing AI at pace, but adoption must be matched with transparency and training. The fact that over half of employees are concerned about AI’s future impact highlights the importance of clear communication and structured upskilling. 

At the speed AI is developing, it’s critical that soft skills like leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving are not lost but actively encouraged alongside new technology. 

Done right, AI can increase efficiency, boost productivity, and complement human talent, supporting the goals outlined in New Zealand’s 2025 AI Strategy for a productive, future-ready workforce.” 

Rising relocation trends are creating a borderless workforce

Mobility remains a defining feature of the New Zealand workforce. 58% of professionals are open to relocating for work. 

Interest varies regionally. In Auckland, 64% would consider relocating, compared with 53% in Wellington and 51% in Canterbury. 

Australia is the most attractive destination, with 65% naming it as their top choice. Domestically, 54% would consider relocating within New Zealand. Internationally, 23% would consider moving to the UK and 21% to Europe. 

The primary drivers of relocation are higher salaries (71%), better job opportunities (65%), lifestyle changes (53%), and cost of living (38%). 

Interest in Australians relocating to New Zealand has increased this year to 17% (up from 2% in 2025). 

Shay comments: ”The strength of interest in Australia underscores how interconnected the two labour markets have become. For many professionals, relocation is no longer aspirational, it is a strategic financial and career decision. 

New Zealand employers must recognise that they are competing not just locally, but internationally. Organisations that create compelling career pathways, competitive remuneration and flexible work models will be better positioned to retain talent in an increasingly borderless market.” 

About the Salary Guide: The Robert Walters 2026 Salary Guide provides a comprehensive overview of hiring intentions, salary trends, skills shortages, and workforce mobility across New Zealand. With insights from over 2,300 respondents, the guide highlights how businesses and employees are navigating an evolving labour market shaped by cost-of-living pressures, technological adoption, and mobility opportunities.

About Robert Walters:  

With more than 3,100 people in 30 countries, Robert Walters delivers recruitment consultancy, staffing, recruitment process outsourcing and managed services across the globe. From traditional recruitment and staffing to end-to-end talent management, our consultants are experts at matching highly skilled people to permanent, contract and interim roles across all professional disciplines. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/employment-research-strategic-hiring-rising-pay-pressures-and-a-borderless-workforce-robert-walters/

February 18, 2026

Weekly reports to the Minister for Mental Health

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Publication date:

18 February 2026

The Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora provides a weekly report to the Minister for Mental Health containing regular updates on the Ministry’s Mental Health work programme and other key information. The published weekly reports do not necessarily reflect the current status of the content.

In addition to the weekly reports published below, we also publish briefings and advice to the Minister for Mental Health, Minister of Health and Associate Ministers of Health, as well Cabinet material, including briefings to Ministers. These can be found on the Information releases page.

Some parts of this information release would not be appropriate to release and, if requested, would be withheld under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). Where this is the case, the relevant sections of the Act that would apply have been identified. Where information has been withheld, no public interest has been identified that would outweigh the reasons for withholding it.

Key redaction codes:

S 9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of natural persons.
S 9(2)(g)(i) to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers and officers and employees of any public service agency.
S 6(a) as its release would likely prejudice the international relations of the Government of New Zealand.
S 9(2)(b)(ii) where its release would likely unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied the information.
S 9(2)(c) to avoid prejudice to measures to protect the health or safety of the public.
S 9(2)(h) to maintain legal professional privilege.
S 9(2)(j) to enable a Minister or any public service agency to carry on negotiations without prejudice or disadvantage (including commercial and industrial negotiations).
S 9(2)(f)(iv) to maintain the constitutional conventions that protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers and officials.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/weekly-reports-to-the-minister-for-mental-health/

February 18, 2026

Five youth charged following aggravated robbery, Napier

Source: New Zealand Police

Five youth are before the court following an aggravated robbery in Westshore, Napier.

On Monday 16 February, Police were notified of an aggravated robbery at a commercial premises on Charles Street about 4.40pm.

Three people allegedly entered the premises and stole a number of items before fleeing in a vehicle containing two others. All took steps to conceal their identities.

No injuries were reported however the owner of the premises is understandably shaken.

The vehicle was later located abandoned on Alexander Avenue, and has been seized for a forensic examination.

Following enquiries into the incident, including information provided by members of the public, Police identified five alleged offenders.

Yesterday evening, Police executed a search warrant at a Napier address where four alleged offenders were taken into custody.

During the search warrant, Police also located evidence relating to the aggravated robbery. including clothing worn by the alleged offenders.

The fifth alleged offender was located and taken into custody a short time later.

Acting Hawke’s Bay Area Investigations Manager, Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu says he is pleased with this result.

“I would like to thank all staff involved for their great collective work in bringing this to a quick resolution.

“Much like the community, Police have no tolerance for this type of offending, and we will continue to work hard to hold offenders to account,” Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Whiu says.

The youth are due to appear in Napier Youth Court today, jointly charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

Further charges have not been ruled out.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/five-youth-charged-following-aggravated-robbery-napier/

February 18, 2026

Arrest made following landslide cordon breach, Mount Manganui

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Inspector Clifford Paxton:

Bay of Plenty Police have arrested and charged a man following a breach at the Mount Maunganui landslide site cordon early this morning.

At around 2.30am, Police were notified that a man had allegedly entered the Mount Maunganui landslide zone which is cordoned off for the public’s safety.

Police coordinated a response with Māori Wardens, who are watching over the site, and a 20-year-old man was arrested.

He is due in Tauranga District Court on Tuesday 24 February, charged with breaching the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act and careless driving.

Police remind the public that the landslide site is a restricted area as it remains unstable and poses significant public safety concerns.

The area is cordoned off with clear signage – there is no excuse to breach this.

Any suspicious behaviour around cordoned, or restricted, areas should be reported to Police immediately by calling 111, if it is happening now, or through 105 if it is after the fact.

You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/arrest-made-following-landslide-cordon-breach-mount-manganui/

February 18, 2026

Homeowners shifting properties could be good news for the economy

Source: Radio New Zealand

First-home buyers were still a strong force in the market, but dropped to 26.2 percent of transactions compared to 28.3 percent at the end of 2025. Unsplash/ Jakub Żerdzicki

Homeowners becoming willing to brave the housing market and shift to a new property could be a positive thing for the economy, one economist says.

Cotality, formerly Corelogic, has released its latest property data pack.

It shows that sales volumes were down 10.7 percent on the same month in 2025. It followed a stronger-than-expected December.

Property economist Kelvin Davidson said, when taking the two months together, there was still an overall lift in transactions.

“We’d expect to see more sales growth activity in 2026 on the back of reduced mortgage rates and a recovering economy,” he said.

Values dropped 1 percent in the year to January but Cotality said while Auckland and Wellington were soft, areas such as Dunedin and Invercargill had more pressure on prices.

Nationally prices are still down 17.5 percent from their peak but Wellington’s are down 25.5 percent compared to 3.6 percent in Christchurch.

First-home buyers were still a strong force in the market, but dropped to 26.2 percent of transactions compared to 28.3 percent at the end of 2025.

Investors were also active. But chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said movers’ share of the market increased from 25.3 percent to 27 percent. These are people who own a home and are moving to another.

“To be fair, it’s early days. But this could be the first sign that as economic confidence starts to recover more owner-occupying households may start to look at the market again and relocate. Their activity has been quieter than normal lately, so some pent-up demand to shift is probably present.

“They’ve been relatively quiet for quite a long time, biding their time, Watching the economy still feeling a little bit cautious about taking that next step, trading up, moving house. You probably don’t necessarily want to do that if you don’t have to in an uncertain environment.”

He said it was not a trend yet but something he had been watching for.

“All that time that movers have been quiet, there’s still been life going on. People have been changing their circumstances yet not moving. So I suspect there’s probably a bit of pent-up demand there that will come out at some point.”

He said, if it did, people such as valuers and real estate salespeople would benefit, but so too would big ticket retailers. “A good time to move house might be a good time to get a new sofa, that sort of thing.”

Flat prices might disappoint sellers but were positive for buyers.

“The predictability of current conditions is reassuring for buyers, who are continuing to adjust to the recent experience of stable prices and lower mortgage rates,” Davidson said.

The data showed rents were subdued.

Prices were down over the year in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington.

The median national rent fell 0.8 percent in the last quarter of the year compared to the same time a year earlier.

Davidson said it was likely behaviour would shift, activity would improve and 2026 would be a year of gradual growth for sales and prices.

“Affordability has improved to its best position in several years, mortgage rates have eased, and listings are gradually drifting lower. Those factors combined are helping to steady the market and should support a lift in sales activity through 2026,” he said.

“Other considerations include borrowers who are rolling off higher fixed rates onto cheaper loans, which will help free up cashflow for some households and should the labour market slowly gather steam as expected, that sets the scene for modest price growth rather than a sharp rebound.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/homeowners-shifting-properties-could-be-good-news-for-the-economy/

February 17, 2026

Watch: Father and kids flee large slip under their home

Source: Radio New Zealand

A father shouted to his children to get clear of a large slip as it fell away from the base of his home – rendering it uninhabitable.

People in the lower North Island were confronting the damage to their neighbourhoods after heavy rain and high winds felled trees, flooded homes and closed schools yesterday.

Aaron Pahl said he arrived at his home in Stokes Valley – north of Wellington City – after picking up two of his children when their school was closed on Monday morning.

“I was looking from my path down at my backyard and I’m like ‘something’s not right here’. I looked at the ground and it’s just dropped about a metre and a half.

“About half an hour later, I was outside and I heard it start cracking, like all the trees just start cracking and crunching. So I pretty much screamed out to my kids ‘get your arses up here now!’ and I watched the whole thing just slide down the bank,” Pahl said.

The view from Stokes Valley painter Aaron Pahl’s house after a slip left the house uninhabitable on Monday morning. Supplied

Pahl said it felt like slow motion as his back fence, a green house and a section of scaffolding slid down into the valley behind his property, leaving his deck and the rear foundation of his home hanging above the precipice.

He said he estimated an area of yard about 30 by 10 square metres disappeared over the edge.

“It was a pretty big storm, but we’ve never had anything like that happen to us, never thought it would happen. The bank that slipped away had like 30 metre tall manuka trees on it. They were there for forever, massive trees and the roots must have been huge but obviously not huge enough to retain the bank,” Pahl said.

Stokes Valley painter Aaron Pahl says he shouted to his children to get to safety when a large slip fell away from the base of his home – leaving the house uninhabitable -on Monday morning. SUPPLIED

Pahl said the family only had time to grab a handful of personal belongings before they had to leave the property.

Later in the day he heard from a neighbour that council staff had been at the site.

“I went back and there’s letters all over the door saying damaged buildings, do not enter, stuff like that. And then there’s something that says the remedial work has to be done or the building has to be demolished,” Pahl said.

Pahl said the family was now “in limbo” – staying at his in-laws – as they waited to hear how his insurance company could help with an accommodation supplement to house them ahead of any potential repairs.

“I’ve just spent thousands of dollars doing the house up, new kitchen, new bathroom, recarpeting, redecorating the whole interior.

“I’ve spent pretty much most of my free time, doing up my own house so I can sell it to do better for my family. It’s – hopefully – not all lost, but it’s very unclear right now. If that goes down the drain, I’m pretty much screwed,” Pahl said.

A Lower Hutt City Council spokesperson confirmed Pahl’s home had been issued with a dangerous building notice.

They said the building had been assessed as “damaged enough not to be safe to be in” and details of what next steps had to be taken where outlined in the notice to the owner.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/watch-father-and-kids-flee-large-slip-under-their-home/

February 17, 2026

Banks Peninsula still cut off after floods hit Canterbury

Source: Radio New Zealand

Little River Cafe and store owner Cameron Gordon RNZ/Nathan McKinnon

The town of Akaroa on Canterbury’s Banks Peninsula will remain cut off overnight, with State Highway 75 closed because of slips and flooding that swamped Little River.

A local state of emergency was in place for the peninsula, where several hundred people remained without power and many more affected by telecommunications outages.

Little River flooding in Canterbury RNZ/Nathan McKinnon

Little River Cafe and Store owner Cameron Gordon has lived in the settlement for 20 years but told RNZ he had never seen flooding so bad.

“This is the worst, significantly the worst by far”, he said.

“It’s the deepest water we’ve had and the most damage around town as well, no doubt.”

Gordon said the cafe had flooded five times, most recently last May when a foot of water washed through some businesses.

Flooding at the Little River Cafe on Tuesday. RNZ/Nathan McKinnon

“We can’t do much yet, everything’s covered in water. We’re just sitting and waiting, feeling very frustrated and just over it. Well and truly over it. We’ve done this too many times,” he said.

“Our house also floods regularly with any heavy rain. We just seem to be in low land with pour drainage and seem to cop it. We’ll see what happens, see what the damage is and just go from there.”

A boil water notice was in place for Little River and Wainui, while about 250 households and businesses were expected to be without power overnight.

A damaged fibre line meant One New Zealand and Spark services were off-line but Two Degrees was working.

Civil defence chiefs said people should still call 111 in an emergency because it would go through the Two Degrees network.

Little River flooding in Canterbury RNZ/Nathan McKinnon

Little River Campground owner Marcus Puentener said more than 300 millimetres of rain had fallen in the area, twice what forecasters had predicted.

“Two bridges are down, the driveway is pretty wrecked. A lot of water has come down off the road, out of the river and through the camp area,” he said.

“We’re trapped in Okuti Valley. There’s no power in Okuti Valley. There are slips on the roads blocking some residents in and at the bottom of the road there’s at least a foot, if not more, of water blocking any exit.”

Some tourists had international flights to catch but no way of making them, Puentener said.

Further down the road in Cooptown, Tim Wilson questioned whether there should have been more warning or greater urgency.

“This is right up there,” the long-time local said.

“Maybe it should have been a red weather watch instead of an orange but I don’t know if that makes any difference to the outcome. It’s going to be a big clean up.”

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said the the council was talking to the government about getting a Defence Force Unimog into the area.

“Cars can just not get through,” he told RNZ on Tuesday.

“It’s just a matter of just being able to get there with emergency services and get people out safely as well, so that’s the main concern.

“As well as getting power and comms on. People are feeling really isolated so we’ve got to sort that out as quick as we can.”

Heavy rain also caused widespread flooding in Christchurch, where the Heathcote River broke its banks.

People who lived near the river in suburbs like Opawa and Beckenham said they were used to the river flooding but the water was lapping ever-closer to their homes.

Stacey Hurst was not one of the lucky ones.

For the second time since she moved to Eastern Terrace two years ago she was mopping up in her garage after floodwater rushed in on Monday night.

Flooding in Eastern Terrace. Tim Brown/RNZ

“Once we realised it wasn’t going to slow down we moved everything upstairs to minimise the damage,” she said.

“We had an almost identical experience last year with about a foot of water coming into the shed.”

The wake from cars driving down the road made the problem worse, Hurst said.

“It just sends a big wave in here,” she said.

Hurst’s neighbours had avoided water getting into their homes but were shocked by the speed at which the river broke its banks, especially because last year’s floods followed days of heavy rain and coincided with king tides.

Georgia Sytema said the water rose quickly.

“This morning our whole yard was flooded, which doesn’t usually happen, it was up into the driveway. It’s a lot higher than usual,” she said.

Emeline Sales was also nervous as the water rose on Tuesday morning.

“We woke up to a big moat,” she said.

“This is the worst it’s been. It came all the way up to my husband’s car, it was quite deep this time around. It was cutting it close this time.

“It was the drains that started flooding first before the river actually broke. We haven’t had issues with the drains before but that’s what caused all the quite intense surface flooding and then the banks broke.”

Sam Guerin moved to nearby Hunter Terrace about three months ago.

He knew his home was in a flood management area and it was part of the reason he and his partner planned to knock down the house and rebuild further up the site.

Guerin said the scale of flooding was worse than anything he had prepared for.

“We were told that in one of the worst floods in the last 10 to 15 years, the water lapped at the driveway but it’s quite a lot worse than that and it happened so quickly,” he said.

“We were told the last time it flooded was before the council had done a lot of resilience measures, so it was surprising for the water to get as high as it did.”

The family had returned from a night out to find the river had burst its banks, the road was flooded and water was rising about 100 millimetres every hour.

“It was a bit of a sleepless night because we were coming out to check it wasn’t getting too close to the floor level and throughout the evening it was up on our verandah deck,” Guerin said.

“It was getting quite high, so that was a little concerning. It was under the house.”

Woolston was also affected, with Clarendon Terrace residents nervously watching the water as it washed over the riverbanks, onto the road and towards their properties.

Emily Jensen said she moved her cars on Monday night because the road had already flooded.

“I haven’t seen it that high up. I’m really surprised by how much flooding there is just after a day’s rain,” she said.

“It feels a little scary because if you were to think multiple days of rain and king tides on top of that, I don’t know what we’d be looking at.

“I would love to know the council are thinking about what to do in these areas because with climate change and everything’s that happening, it doesn’t feel so good to be down here. Five or six years ago we had a really big flooding event but the water didn’t come up the driveway at all, but now it’s coming up so it’s getting worse.

“It just creates anxiety about what you’re going to wake up to.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/banks-peninsula-still-cut-off-after-floods-hit-canterbury/

February 17, 2026

Father and kids flee large slip under their home