Banks Peninsula recovery

Support is available if you or your whānau have been affected by the flooding, slips, or disruption caused by the February weather event.

This may include help with immediate needs, advice on insurance and flood-damaged goods, or support for people who are isolated or under pressure.

Council welfare assistance

If you or someone you know needs immediate welfare assistance, please contact our community support team:

• To speak to our staff, phone 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169.
• If you need emergency assistance, call 111.
• Email us at jeoc.recoverymgr@ccc.govt.nz.

Insurance advice

For insurance advice, contact your insurance provider directly.

For free, independent advice:

• Phone 0508 624 327
• Visit New Zealand Claims Resolution Service(external link)

Health advice

For health advice, check with your GP.

For general information, visit Health NZ(external link).

To help keep people safe, the Local State of Emergency empowers the Council to perform Rapid Building Assessments of buildings that may have been damaged, and put a coloured notice (placard) on it that lets everyone know its status. 

Normally, when the Local State of Emergency is lifted, those notices no longer apply. However, designating an area under the Building Act extends their legal force for as long as needed. It’s a simple step that means we can manage the safety of each building over the long-term, as well as any emerging issues.

Red placards

A red placard means a building is unsafe and poses a risk and must not be entered or occupied. If the placard has a dashed black border on it, it means the building is at risk from an external hazard.

Yellow placards

A yellow placard means that access to the building is restricted – some parts of the building can be accessed, and some can’t. If there’s a dashed black border, access to the building is allowed on a short-term basis only, with supervision.

White placards

A white placard means your building can be occupied. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the building is free of any damage, so keep an eye out for any changes and contact your landlord or rental manager if you rent your home.

You can find more information at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment(external link).

What's next?

We understand that land stability is a significant worry for residents and the community, and we want to reassure you that a lot of work is happening at our end. We have experience in responding to this type of event.

We’ll continue to monitor the land instability across the district to determine if there are any long-term patterns of movement, and what sort of work will be required to make the area safe and stable.

We also understand that many of those affected are looking for clear information and what work will be carried out and when. We’re actively working to provide residents with updates when we have information to share.

Get in touch

If you or someone you know needs immediate welfare assistance, please contact our community support team(external link).

We’re committed to keeping you informed. For updates, contact us(external link) or to speak to our staff, phone 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169.

Some areas of Banks Peninsula have been affected by landslips and land instability. We know land instability can feel unsettling and create uncertainty for communities.

Council teams and geotechnical specialists are assessing areas affected by slips and land movement across Banks Peninsula to understand current conditions and help protect road access and public safety.

Private landowners may also choose to seek specialist advice to better understand conditions on their own property.

In some locations, access restrictions or further assessments may be required while this work is underway.

Remediation work is already planned for Akaroa’s Lighthouse Road(external link), following a slip in May 2025. Additional potential remediation work required for a site further along Lighthouse Road following the February 2026 slip is also being investigated.

What to do if you notice land movement

There may be some ongoing movement of land, and you may see cracks in the road surface or surrounding land open – this is to be expected as the land continues to settle. Our contractors will be out and about making repairs. If you see a large or new crack, please call 111.

How land assessments are done

Council teams and geotechnical specialists are assessing areas affected by slips and land movement across Banks Peninsula to understand current conditions and help protect road access and public safety.

Assessments can include site visits, visual inspections, geological mapping and monitoring of land movement. In some locations, specialist equipment or modelling may be used to understand how land could behave under different conditions, such as further heavy rain.

This work helps identify areas that may need further investigation, monitoring or remediation, and informs decisions about access, safety measures, and longer‑term recovery planning.

Land assessments take time, and in some cases, land may continue to settle. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.

Slips and land movement on private property

Slips and unstable ground on private property can be dangerous. Please take care and avoid clearing slips or moving material yourself, as ground conditions can change without warning.

Before starting any work, check what rules apply and get the right advice. Some work on private land may require approval to make sure it is safe and compliant.

Who to contact

If you’re unsure what work is allowed or need advice before starting any work on a slip on your property, contact:

• Christchurch City Council – for advice on land instability, safety, and whether approvals may be required.
• Environment Canterbury – for guidance on earthworks and Resource Management Act requirements(external link).

You can contact the Council’s customer services team, who can help direct your enquiry to the right team. Phone: 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169

Contact us

Check what rules apply

Before starting any work related to slips or land movement, check what rules apply. Guidance is available to help you understand what’s allowed and when approvals may be needed.

Environment Canterbury(external link) has advice to help you find the right information and make sure any work you do complies with the Resource Management Act.

Most roads across Banks Peninsula are open, and essential services are operating. Council teams continue to monitor conditions and carry out repair and maintenance work where needed to support safe access and reliable infrastructure.

Road updates

Flooding and slips have damaged some roads across Banks Peninsula, resulting in temporary closures and access restrictions in a small number of areas. While most roads are open, some are currently limited to residents.

Crews are assessing damage, completing repairs, and reopening routes where it is safe to do so. Work is prioritised based on safety and access needs, and we understand this can be frustrating.

Road access may change as conditions evolve, particularly following further rain. Please follow signage and closures.

Road status

Updated Friday 27 February 2026.

We will continue update this page as information comes to hand.

The following roads have restricted access for emergency vehicles and residents only:

• Kaituna Valley Road, from Parkinsons Road to the end
• Bachelors Road
• Kinloch Road, from Okuti Valley Road to Bossu Road
• Reynolds Valley Road, from Okuti Valley Road to Bossu Road
• Western Valley (Port Levy), from about 2.8km up to the saddle
• Peraki Road, from Bossu Road to the bottom
• Bossu Road, from Wainui Main Road to Lands End
• Donovans Road
• Jubilee Road, from Wainui Main Road to approximately 900 metres onwards. Access from the other side of Jubilee is available via Bossu Road. A section of Jubilee Road remains closed due to a bridge washout.
• Wainui Main Road to Bossu Road
• Wainui Valley Road 

Roads closed:

• Jubilee Road – around 900m up from Wainui Main Road. This is due to a bridge washout.
• Western Valley Road – from #1280 to the saddle. This is due to a dropout and slips.

Roads open, but caution is advised:

• Lighthouse Road
• Goughs Bay Road, at the bottom end
• Hickory Bay Road, from about 700m down
• Long Bay Road
• Parkinsons Road
• Prices Valley
• Montgomery Park, near Summit Road
• Western Valley (Little River), from Montgomery Park to the saddle
• Waitaturi Lane – some flooding remains

Advice for visitors and freight

Most roads across Banks Peninsula are open and accessible, and communities and businesses are welcoming visitors. However, some repair work and monitoring continue, and conditions can change, particularly after heavy rain.

Freight operators and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, check for the latest road updates before travelling, and follow any temporary speed limits, signage or restrictions in place.

Please take care around work sites and be patient where crews are completing repairs. Supporting local businesses helps communities recover.

Water supply

Some local water supplies were affected during the weather event. However, we’ve now restored all services.

Flood damage, including silt and debris, remains in some locations. Council crews are working in public areas, and advice is available to help residents clean up safely.

Visit Environment Canterbury for information about cleaning up flood damage on your property or Health NZ(external link) for information on floods and health.

Silt removal

Flooding has left silt and debris on roads, properties and public spaces in some areas. Council crews and contractors are prioritising clean‑up in public areas, while guidance is available to help residents manage silt on private property safely.

Please take care when handling silt, as it may contain contaminants.

Silt collection 

What we’re doing:

• As part of the response to the February flooding, the Council is carrying out a one‑off silt collection in Little River to support affected residents.

What will be collected:

• Only silt recovered from under, inside, and within 1 metre of residential properties. This silt should be placed on the roadside for easy collection.

When:

• Between Monday 2 March and Thursday 5 March 2026.

Important to know:

• This is not our usual practice; it is a one-off recovery measure.
• The Council cannot collect silt from other areas, such as paddocks, driveways, or general clean-up.
• Please do not place other materials on the roadside.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation. Keeping roads clear helps crews focus on restoring access and completing recovery work safely.

Disposing of flood-damage material 

Flood‑damaged material from private property is the responsibility of the property owners to dispose of. Please do not place damaged items or debris on the roadside for Council collection.

Piling material on roadsides creates safety hazards and can slow down roading crews who are focused on repairing and reopening roads. We appreciate everyone’s help in keeping roads clear so recovery work can continue safely and efficiently.

Skips

Skips will be available in Little River until Wednesday 11 March. These are for the disposal of household and garden waste arising from the flood clean-up.

Dealing with silt and mould

Around flooded homes – whether collecting belongings, inspecting for damage, or cleaning up – it’s important to take steps to protect your health, like wearing protective clothing.

Floodwaters and the silt they leave behind can be contaminated. They may contain sewage, farm run-off, industrial chemicals, and harmful bugs.

As flood silt dries, it can turn into fine dust that becomes airborne. Breathing in this dust can irritate or damage your lungs and airways, worsen asthma and other breathing conditions, and irritate your eyes. For these reasons, all flood silt should be treated as contaminated while it remains on your property.

Flooding and pooled water in a home can also cause mould to grow, which may be a health risk for you and your whānau. Look for visible mould and be aware of any musty smell. 

For more health advice about floods and cleaning up a flooded home, visit the Health NZ website(external link).

Check what rules apply

Environment Canterbury(external link) has advice to help you find the right information and make sure any work you do complies with the Resource Management Act.