Banks Peninsula was left in a very saturated state last week after heavy rainfall caused slips, property damage, flooding and some road closures. In some places this was compounded by very high tides, which raised river levels and caused debris to be washed over low lying roads.

State Highway 75 was closed temporarily when several large trees slipped down with part of a clay bank across the road in Robinsons Bay, nearly missing a motorist who was travelling down the hill at the time.

The main highway was also closed in Little River when large stretches of road were completely flooded, and it could not be re-opened until the water had subsided.

Police were advising people to stay off the roads and not to travel if possible.

Several Akaroa streets were under water, and even several days later things are taking quite some time to dry out. Let's hope for a few days of sunshine to help improve the situation.