Dramatic new photos show just how widespread and devastating the impact of heavy rain has been on Nelson.
The images show widespread flooding in and around the city.
Whole fields and paddocks now look more like rivers, as streets resemble streams - with brown, murky water rushing through and around residential homes.
Photographer Tim Cuff captured the photos from a helicopter this afternoon, when the rain stopped.
Residents who had been evacuated on Wednesday were finally allowed back into their homes to gather items and assess the damage.
The Nelson Tasman Civil Defence issued a notice this afternoon saying those who were being given access to their homes were families who had been evacuated after the Maitai River breached earlier this week.
Despite people being granted a chance to check their properties, it was not all good news for some, as Civil Defence staff said some properties would have a red or orange placard attached outside.
Anyone whose house has an orange or red placard is still allowed to enter the property.
However, they can only survey the damage, take photos for insurance claim purposes and gather any personal items before leaving again. They cannot stay inside the property.
A public meeting will be held tomorrow at the Saxton Stadium and will be livestreamed for people who cannot attend in person, the Civil Defence said.
Locals are being reminded that this is an ongoing event and, as a result, the area is still under an official state of emergency.
There is only one severe weather warning in place anywhere around the country, as of 6.30pm, according to the MetService.
There is a heavy rain watch for Fiordland and George Sound southwards from 5pm today until 9am tomorrow.
A period of heavy rain is on the cards and locals are being told that rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.
People in Nelson will be relieved to hear there is a reprieve from the heavy rains next week - save for a few showers tomorrow morning and the odd one during the week.
But there is also sunshine forecast next week.
Monday is expected to be fine at first, then partly cloudy with the odd shower from the afternoon. A temperature high of 15C is forecast and a chilly 5C low overnight.
Nothing but sunny conditions are expected on Tuesday, which has a high of 16C. Wednesday looks to be partly cloudy, however.
As those in the South Island dealt with the aftermath of heavy rains, parts of the North Island recorded some of the warmest August temperatures on record.
Niwa reported it to be a "sizzling Saturday" for the north.
Those in Wairoa could have been mistaken for thinking it was summer, with 24.3C the second-warmest North Island temperature on record for the month of August.
In Whāngārei, 23C today was the warmest temperature recorded there ever in August. That was also the case in Whakatū, in Hastings, this time recording 23C.
Waipāwa was another place to be today - recording 23.8C.
While Gisborne, which had a high of 22.7C, also saw its second-warmest day on record.
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