MIL-OSI Export – Page 383

February 17, 2026

How much do you really need to retire early?

One expert says there’s a meaningful gap between a basic and a more comfortable retirement. 123.rf

You’ve probably heard warnings about how New Zealanders are likely to need to work until later in life.

Treasury has pointed out the pressure an ageing population will put on the country’s finances – and the message was repeated at last week’s University of Waikato economic forum by Milford Asset Management.

But what if you’re having none of that, and actually want to retire early?

It’s not impossible, but might require a bit of planning.

How much do you need?

One way to retire is to amass a significant enough sum of money that you can tap into a bit of it each year to replace your income.

This is what most people are already planning to do with KiwiSaver – but if you’re retiring early, your amount may need to be larger because you won’t have the support of NZ Super until you are 65.

Koura founder Rupert Carlyon said people should figure out what they were spending money on at present and which expenses might stop if they stopped working. Then they would need to think about additional things they might start spending money on.

Once you know what you need to be able to pay for each week, you can work backwards to determine what lump sum you need to generate sufficient income to cover that.

He said it would work for most people to draw down 4 percent of the value of their investment portfolio each year.

“The amount you need is going to be quite a lot … basically for simplicity’s sake, you kind of times [your income] by 20. If I’m saying I want $100,000 a year to live off for the rest of my life, I’m going to times that by 20, and that’s about my number.”

That calculation would mean that someone wanting $100,000 a year would need to have $2 million saved. But that does not account for NZ Super being available from 65, which would provide a portion of the $100,000 annual income.

Ana-Marie Lockyer, chief executive at Pie Funds, said based on a “no frills lifestyle” as described by Massey University’s Retirement Expenditure Guidelines, someone would need about $350,000 to $500,000 if they wanted to retire at 60 and about $550,000 to $700,000 if they wanted to retire at 55.

“These are indicative figures and assume you own your home mortgage-free. Home ownership makes a significant difference. If you’re still carrying a mortgage or renting, the amount required increases substantially.

“Lifestyle expectations also matter – there’s a meaningful gap between a basic and a more comfortable retirement. Location plays a role too, with Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch generally more expensive than provincial areas.”

Pie Funds chief executive Ana-Marie Lockyer. Supplied / Pie Funds

Other people might live off the income their investments generated, such as rental properties.

Investment coach Steve Goodey said people could retire when they had a big enough portfolio of properties.

“A minimum four or five if they have low or no debt.”

He said people could aim to have seven and then sell a couple when they were ready to retire to reduce their debt.

Claire Matthews, author of the Massey University guidelines, said the amount people needed to save would depend on what their goals were for retirement, and whether they were planning to work at all.

They would also need to consider whether they were happy to use up all their money or wanted to preserve some.

Claire Matthews, author of the Massey University guidelines. RNZ/Nikki Mandow

“Owning your own home without debt would be helpful. But perhaps early retirement means living in a campervan and travelling around the country, in which case you don’t need a house – although it’s not as simple as that sounds.”

Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight said some people might be able to live on a partner’s income.

“Property investors might have rentals paying them an income. But most Kiwis will be relying on liquid assets – cash, shares, or managed funds they can draw down. And this needs to be outside KiwiSaver, since you can’t touch that until 65 either.

“Where does this money come from? Some people save it up. But more often it comes from selling an investment property or a business.

“One of our clients has a significant managed fund investment and draws down $60,000 a year. Her returns are strong enough that the balance doesn’t really go down.”

He said people should talk to a financial adviser to run through the numbers.

“Because it’s scary watching your balance drop. But if you run the numbers and know your spending will decrease once NZ Super kicks in, that gives you the confidence to actually pull the trigger.”

Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight. Supplied / Ed McKnight

How much will your expenses really drop?

If you own your own home, there are likely to be some costs that you can’t avoid.

RNZ earlier found that just rates and insurance would add at least $6000 in costs each year.

“The first $100 to $150 a week of your income is just rates and insurance before we’ve even started on maintenance,” Carlyon said. “There’s all these kinds of costs that are absolutely skyrocketing,”

He said people who retired early generally weren’t doing it to sit around not doing much, so you’ll need to be realistic about how much money you will really need.

Can you rely on the government?

You could retire and decide to live off government support but it’s probably not advisable or much fun.

Basic JobSeeker for a single person is only $361.32 a week after tax and before additional supports. You can’t access the accommodation supplement if you have more than about $8000 in assets.

There are also expectations that people receiving a benefit of this nature are looking for work.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/17/how-much-do-you-really-need-to-retire-early/

February 17, 2026

Taihape’s Winiata Marae steps up for stranded travellers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Shadrack Simi was in charge of the menu. RNZ / Robin Martin

When the huge storm closed State Highway 1 between Taihape and Hunterville on Monday, leaving hundreds of drivers stranded, the community at Winiata Marae knew just what to do.

They quickly put word out that warm food and a place to rest could be found at the marae on the outskirts of Taihape.

Lulu Simi is a force of nature herself and it was she who was directing the marae’s response to the storm – busy organising gas canister refills and making sure visitors were fed.

“We just knew it would be part and parcel of what we need to do for our community.

“Not only for our local community but for the many hundreds and thousands of people that travel through Taihape to get to their destinations.

“This morning when we woke up it was all back-to-back trucks and cars and families, so we had already put our number out last night.”

Lulu Simi, left, reckons helping out stranded travellers such as Aucklanders Max Briggs and Leilani Kwan-Him is central to its role. RNZ / Robin Martin

The Ngāti Hinemanu and Ngāti Paki hapū marae played a similar role during Cyclone Gabrielle.

At day’s end on Monday night more than 200 people had been through.

“Everyone here just knows that it’s part of our role underneath our marae to look after people and it always makes us feel good to be able to put it on at the drop of a hat.

“And to be able to provide all this kai, all these sleeping places to people who were going to sleep in their cars … you always walk away feeling proud.”

Helen Ropiha-waiwai was heading back to Feilding from the rugby league international in Rotorua with her husband.

She was in awe of the hospitality.

“For me not being from here it was beautiful just to see such a small community just come together and make such a big kai.

“They had enough kai for three bus-loads that they knew were stuck and all the truck drivers and stuff.”

Feilding traveller Helen Ropiha-waiwai was overwhelmed by the hospitality. RNZ / Robin Martin

Helen Ropiha-waiwai even bumped into Moana Steedman – aka Nan – who she knew from the sidelines of schoolboy rugby.

A Taihape local, Nan, reckoned helping others fed the soul.

“It was amazing, you know, not only do we help them but they help us and, you know, to be able to give back to people that’s the amazing part of it. That’s what it’s all about.

Moana Steedman – aka Nan – and her kitchen mate Kui reckon helping others feeds the soul. RNZ / Robin Martin

Aucklander Leilani Kwan-Him was travelling to Wellington with Max Briggs.

They got a tip off about Winiata Marae while killing time at the Taihape library.

“And then they gave us dinner and they were going to give us a place to stay. It was just so nice and we had a really nice meal .”

The food hit the spot too.

“We had chop suey, we had chicken curry – that’s one of the chefs over there – and we had some rice and there was tea and it feels like there was some nibbles. There was everything.”

Shadrack Simi put together the menu.

“For lunchtime today we had like a sausages and gravy, veggies and mashed potatoes. That was all stuff that we just had here on site.

“And then from donated stores and stuff we had here we put on a chicken curry and rice, a beef chop suey and a yellow split-bean curry, a vegan curry.”

Lulu Simi, second right, reckoned many hands made light work. RNZ / Robin Martin

Being nimble was the key to putting on such a spread at short notice.

“I guess it’s just resourcefulness looking at the ingredients you’ve got and then also looking at the day obviously I wanted something hot and nutritious.

“So, the meals had a lot of ginger, garlic, onion, but also things that I know the Kiwi palate will eat like a chicken curry and sausages and gravy.”

Meanwhile, Lulu Simi said the marae stood ready to help again next time wild weather strikes.

State Highway 1 reopened to two-lane traffic at about 6pm.

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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/taihapes-winiata-marae-steps-up-for-stranded-travellers/

February 17, 2026

Can I put that down the kitchen sink?

Source: Radio New Zealand

We’ve all heard the warnings about wet wipes and fatbergs but the kitchen sink is often where complacency creeps in. A splash of pan oil here or a rinse of leftover sauce there might seem harmless at first.

According to plumber Marc Brouwer, who has worked across Australia and New Zealand for 22 years, kitchen drain blockages are an everyday callout.

“It can range from the original plumbing that may have been installed, like the wrong pipe sizing. It can be due to old pipes… Then in most cases it’s all just self-inflicted, which is pouring oil down the sink.”

Dense oils and meat fats are a big culprit for blocked drains and pipes, says plumber Marc Brouwer.

Unsplash / Cooker King

. When they hit cold water or are left without hot water running, they solidify – building up over time and putting a strain on wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Starchy foods (like rice and pasta) and dairy-heavy liquids can also cling to pipes.

Old, galvanised pipes are especially prone to catching residue as rust creates a rough surface inside the pipe, he says.

If there’s a small amount of residual oil, Brouwer says run hot water – but ideally, don’t pour oil down at all. Wipe pans with a paper towel first and bin the grease. Even with hot water, fats can cause blockages, including in outside pipes or gullies.

Professional organiser and housekeeper Rachael Quinn of The Housekeeper says shallow- or deep-frying oil should be disposed of appropriately, not down the drain.

Supplied

Professional organiser and housekeeper Rachael Quinn agrees. Apart from the odd grain of rice, only water and detergent should regularly go down the sink, she says.

“The more that we put down there, the more it’s going to clog up over time, and of course a lot of the food we’re having these days is highly processed, so there’s a lot more things that make it just stick.”

Medicines should never go down the drain either.

“It’s a big fat no. What you should do is gather them all up and actually take them back to a pharmacy. They will dispose of them correctly.”

Are waste disposal units the answer?

Plumber Marc Brouwer says food waste disposal units in your sink can cause more hassle than they’re worth. (file image)

Unsplash / Olimpia Davies

“Realistically, you shouldn’t have a waste disposal, to be honest … they cause more problems than what they’re worth,” says Auckland-based Brouwer.

Limit the unit for “minimal scraps”, he says, like broccoli remnants or lemon or orange peels, which are acidy.

Eggshells, rice, pasta, coffee grounds and stringy vegetables like celery are all risky, he says. Rice and pasta expand; eggshells can turn into gritty sludge that lines pipes. Bones are also off-limits.

Quinn, who has a disposal unit, avoids onion, garlic, and banana peels, and never puts heavy fats down nor tea bags. She reckons lightly oiled pans are fine to rinse in the unit along with boiling water, but shallow- or deep-frying oil should be disposed of appropriately. (Check your local council for guidance.)

To keep units fresh, she suggests running lemon wedges and ice cubes through with water about once a week.

For expired sauces: Oil-based dressings belong in the bin, she says. Chunkier sauces can go in compost or, in small amounts, the disposal unit.

On top of that advice, the guidance for septic tanks by Auckland Council widens to include antibacterial soap and cleaners, chlorine and coffee grounds.

Septic tanks should be pumped every three years and fitted with an outlet filter to prevent solids entering the disposal field, the council says. And, for these households, it advises against installing waste disposal units too.

What about cleaning products and paint?

Water NZ says even water-based paint should not be put down the sink. (file image)

Unsplash / Ivana Cajina

Small amounts of everyday household cleaner are usually fine, but repeated or heavy chemical use isn’t recommended, says the country’s largest water industry body, Water NZ.

Baking soda and vinegar are commonly recommended as septic-safe cleaning alternatives when diluted.

Even water-based paint should not be rinsed down sinks, because pigments and binders can pollute waterways or interfere with treatment systems, Water NZ says.

Instead, wash brushes in a container and let solids settle in a container, pour off clear water onto soil (not storm drains), and dispose of dried residue in the rubbish.

Quinn avoids heavy-duty chemicals altogether, noting they can corrode pipes over time.

Instead of heavy chemicals, Quinn suggests DIY cleaning solutions like baking soda, lemon or vinegar for your sink. (file image)

Unsplash / Nik

Her DIY solution is letting a paste of baking soda sit for 10 minutes in the drain and then washing it down with boiling water. (She doesn’t wash it down with vinegar as that neutralises it.)

“I would certainly suggest once a week to pour two to three boiling water jugs full down your kitchen sink just to push everything through.”

What’s the risk?

At worst, fats and wipes (which also shouldn’t be flushed) combine to form fatbergs in public wastewater systems, Water NZ says.

At home, blockages can cause wastewater overflows – bringing odours, mould and bacteria like E. coli. But generally, the environmental impacts of household-scale blockages are typically small, Water NZ says.

Medicines can disrupt wastewater treatment processes, enter groundwater or waterways and contaminate septic systems.

For septic systems, blockages or chemicals can cause untreated effluent to surface or back up. Strong chemicals, paints, medicines, and oils can kill the bacteria needed for septic tank systems to break down the waste.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/can-i-put-that-down-the-kitchen-sink/

February 17, 2026

Insurance costs drop for some households – as other struggle to get it at all

Source: Radio New Zealand

The median price for insurance for a large house in Auckland had dropped 11 percent year-on-year, Consumer NZ said. RNZ

Aucklanders may finally be getting some relief on their insurance premiums – but the same cannot be said for Wellington and Christchurch, and some people are struggling to get it at all.

Consumer NZ said its latest survey of house and contents insurance premiums showed the median price for insurance for a large house in Auckland had dropped 11 percent year-on-year.

But in Wellington and Christchurch, the cost of insurance was up 10 percent.

Wellington was the most expensive city in the country for house insurance. The median cost of house and contents cover for a standard home was $3824 a year, Consumer’s insurance expert Rebecca Styles said.

Dunedin has the cheapest home insurance options, with the median cost for house and contents insurance for a standard home coming in at $2227.

The quotes were based on a couple with a standard-sized house insured for $560,000 and contents for $90,000, and a family of four with a large house insured for $840,000 and contents for $140,000.

Styles said people could often save money by shopping around.

“When we compared policies with the same excess and sum insured across the six centres, we found the median potential saving was about $550.

“More than eight in 10 people have had the same insurance provider for at least three years. When people decide to switch, it’s usually because of price, and with some of the savings available, we can see why.”

She said people who could find a better price elsewhere could use that to try to negotiate a discount with their current provider.

Opting for a higher excess could also mean lower premiums. But Styles said people should not set their excess so high they could not cover it if they had to claim.

“Ask your insurer if your premiums would be cheaper if you installed an alarm or security cameras – the savings might subsidise the installation costs. If you can afford to, pay your premiums annually – you should get a discount.”

Styles said 1 percent of the 3000 people who responded to the survey said they could not switch because no other provider would offer insurance.

The Auckland drop was coming on the back of a large spike after Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary weekend flooding, she said. It could be that flood mitigation efforts and infrastructure improvements were also reducing risk.

But people in high risk areas were likely to find it harder to find insurance, she said.

“I think in Wellington and Christchurch, it’s the same old thing of earthquakes, floods and landslides. And it just means that we’re paying more and more for insurance in those regions.

“With the reports of AA Insurance not covering some postcodes, and I think other insurers are weighing up risk across the country, they’re always monitoring their risk portfolios and making sure they don’t have too much risk in one area more so than another. And, if we don’t do anything about a climate adaptation framework, practically in terms of infrastructure – there’s just more and more frequent extreme weather events and flooding – if the infrastructure doesn’t keep up with that, I think prices will just keep going up and up.”

If someone was struggling to find suitable cover, they could contact the Natural Hazards Commission and ask about its natural hazards cover, which offered more limited protection, she said. “It’s sort of the insurance of last resort for natural hazards. So it would be for your house, it wouldn’t be for your contents.”

She said the government’s investigation into the insurance market would help in terms of giving people assurance about whether they were paying fair price.

“We eagerly await the outcome of that, given it’ll be at least six months.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/17/insurance-costs-drop-for-some-households-as-other-struggle-to-get-it-at-all/

February 17, 2026

Tempers flare as officials front for packed Moa Point public meeting

Source: Radio New Zealand

More than 300 people attended a public meeting about the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant disaster. RNZ / Lauren Crimp

Tempers flared at a packed public meeting on Monday night about the meltdown at Wellington’s Moa Point sewage treatment plant.

Officials fronted the crowd of more than 300, but many left disappointed by a lack of clear answers about the disaster that has been sending sewage onto Wellington’s south coast for nearly two weeks.

The event, organised by Rongotai MP Julie-Anne Genter and Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul, was billed as an opportunity to ask questions and speak directly with experts.

Wellington Water chief operating officer Charles Barker – standing in for his boss, whose flight was cancelled – said up front there was only so much he could say with a Crown review imminent, and insurance processes underway.

“So if at times I appear guarded, or I’m taking a bit longer to think, that’s because I’m probably getting close to that point where I have to be careful not to jeapordise any future inquiry, and especially everyone’s insurance,” he said.

That came into play when the big question was asked: what happened?

“Again, I just have to be careful talking about causality,” he said.

All Barker could say was that divers had inspected 300 metres of the 1.8 kilometre pipe that sends wastewater into the Cook Stait, and it appeared to be intact – but something was stopping “optimal flow”.

Mayor Andrew Little also could not say who would pay for the fallout or fix.

“There’s a whole bunch of insurance claims being made by all sorts of parties.

“I suspect insurance companies don’t want to do anything until they have a fair idea about what the possible cause is.”

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The question and answer session was heated at times, peppered with yelling and interruptions.

“What are you going to do to improve that so we don’t face this damn catastrophe again?” cried one man.

Acting Wellington Water chair Bill Bayfield replied: “That will be the subject of the review.”

Taranaki Whānui trustee Benjamin Wynyard-Terry said he did not trust officials’ assurances, and wanted more transparency.

“Pull your heads together, and put your tent up on the beach where this has occurred, and … have a two-day wānanga, and you come up with a real solution so this will never happen again.”

Some had solutions of their own, which included composting or incinerating toilets for every ratepayer “for less than we paid for the sludge plant”.

Te Papa fish expert, Andrew Stewart, had good news for those with environmental fears. He said the weather, and the Cook Strait, massively diluted the sewage.

Had it happened in Wellington Harbour, it would have been an “unmitigated disaster”, Stewart said.

“It is ghastly what’s happened, but I don’t believe it’s going to have a long-term damaging effect.”

The crowd was pleased officials and experts had fronted, but frustrated that they left with only a little more clarity than they walked in with.

“Because of the investigation that is taking place, it feels like a really welcome safety blanket to not be able to provide any further information,” one woman said.

“I got the reassurance in terms of the ecological stuff … that was answered clearly,” said another.

“There was no apology whatsoever and it felt as if they were sort of trying to almost avoid any sort of blame,” one man said.

Wellington Water planned to hold more public meetings.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/17/tempers-flare-as-officials-front-for-packed-moa-point-public-meeting/

February 17, 2026

South Wairarapa mayor says ‘there are big concerns’ after destructive storm

Source: Radio New Zealand

A creek had burst in banks on Monday on Lake Ferry Road south of Martinborough, Wairarapa. RNZ/Mary Argue

In the aftermath of the latest destructive storm, South Wairarapa’s mayor is calling for a frank discussion about the country’s future from grassroots to government level.

Torrential rain and gale force winds caused widespread flooding and damage across Wairarapa – closing roads, isolating communities, and cutting power to thousands.

A helicopter view of flooding on the South Wairarapa coast. Supplied / Carterton District Council

South Wairarapa mayor Fran Wilde said it was too soon to discuss the cost of the latest clean-up, but it wasn’t too early to talk about the long-term challenges, as she saw them.

“There are big concerns. These events are going to be more frequent and our whole roading system and our settlement pattern – they weren’t designed around these sorts of weather events.”

South Wairarapa mayor Fran Wilde Supplied

She said the problems weren’t isolated to South Wairarapa and back-to-back storms across the North Island in the past month highlighted issues faced nationwide.

“How are we going to manage this in the future? And what does it mean for our communities, for local government, and for central government?”

Wilde said the roading network was “fragile” in many places across the motu – built decades ago alongside houses that were now at risk of flooding and landslides – and once people had dealt with the brunt of the latest destruction, they needed to confront such issues.

“If you sit back and think longer term, they are serious ones that need to be part of a wider community consultation and discussion.”

South Wairarapa communities were cut off after the storm. RNZ/Mary Argue

She said adaptation was a focus for all councils and she urged the central government not to make it more difficult with changes to the planning framework.

“This is a serious issue and I think the last few months have demonstrated that,” she said.

“But … it’s not just for a few ministers to sitting at the table. The community themselves needs to be actively engaged in this and have an understanding of what the future might bring.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/17/south-wairarapa-mayor-says-there-are-big-concerns-after-destructive-storm/

February 17, 2026

Live weather: Storm behind North Island destruction moves south to Canterbury

Source: Radio New Zealand

Akaroa hit by flooding as storm moves south. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are being lashed by heavy rain as the wild weather moves south, causing flooding in Akaroa.

MetService said a deep low east of New Zealand is moving slowly southwards, bringing more heavy rain to the lower North Island and eastern South Island.

However, it said the south-to-southwest gales over central New Zealand are easing.

Banks Peninsula is under an orange heavy rain warning until 6pm, with up to 100 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen.

A heavy rain watch is in place for Christchurch (apart from Banks Peninsula), and Canterbury Plains and Foothills between the Rangitata River and Amberley until 10am.

A heavy rain watch for Dunedin (east of Pukerangi) will linger for longer, and is due to expire at 9pm.

Christchurch City Council said it was closely watching the weather, with roading crews on standby overnight. Some surface flooding has already been reported, but more will be known as day breaks.

State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa was closed at 11pm on Monday because of flooding. An update on the road is due by 7am.

MetService said has also issued heavy swell warnings for the Wellington and Wairarapa coasts from midday, saying large waves and dangerous sea conditions are expected. Coastal inundation is possible about exposed coasts.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/17/live-weather-storm-behind-north-island-destruction-moves-south-to-canterbury/

February 17, 2026

As it happened: Wellington winds strongest in a decade

Source: Radio New Zealand

Akaroa hit by flooding as storm moves south. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

The winds that struck Wellington on Monday were the strongest in more than a decade, MetService says.

Gusts of 193 kilometres an hour were recorded at Mount Kaukau, and 128km/h at Wellington Airport – the highest for both since 2013.

An orange heavy rain warning for the eastern hills of Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua Range, expired at 11pm Monday.

More than 30,000 properties lost power on Monday as wild winds brought trees and power lines down across much of the lower North Island.

Powerco said about 23,000 properties across its network have lost connections and in the Wellington region, about 10,000 have their connections cut.

Manawatū-Whanganui has been hit badly, and the region is under a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, homes on Lincoln Road in Masterton were evacuated due to the threat of falling trees.

Air NZ cancelled flights in and out of several major centres, including the capital, citing strong winds.

“Safety is paramount and we are continuing to closely monitor conditions, with winds expected to reduce later this morning when we expect to resume services,” chief operating officer Alex Marren said.

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are now being lashed by heavy rain as the wild weather moves south, causing flooding in Akaroa.

Downpours have turned the harbour township’s recreation ground into a lake, with some streets awash near the sea.

An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the peninsula – where up to 100 millimetres of further rain could fall – until 6pm Tuesday.

Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains and foothills, between the Rangitata River and Amberley, are under a heavy rain watch until 10am.

Christchurch City Council said it is closely watching the weather and is aware of reports of surface flooding.

It said roading crews are on standby overnight, and more will be known in the morning.

Transport officials and councils are closely monitoring water levels in Lake Forsyth that could affect State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa.

See how the day unfolded in our blog:

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/17/as-it-happened-wellington-winds-strongest-in-a-decade/

February 17, 2026

As it happened: Flooding in Akaroa as wild weather moves south