2023 southern New Zealand floods

On 21 September, MetService reported that an active wet front was moving up the South Island through the Southland and Otago regions. The meteorological service issued 14 severe weather warnings and watches. In addition, the Fiordland Region reported 100mm of rain in 12 hours. That morning, 72mm of rain fell in the Southland town of Gore, causing significant surface flooding. This flooding overwhelmed the stormwater and wastewater network in Gore and Mataura. That afternoon, Mayor of Gore Ben Bell declared a state of emergency for the Southland Region. Though an evacuation centre was established in Mataura Community Centre, Mataura Community Board chair Nicky Coats confirmed that the evacuation was not carried out since the rain had subsided. Due to heavy rainfall, the Roxburgh Dam in Central Otago released more water into the Clutha River on 21 September, raising the water level. The Otago resort town of Queenstown also experienced flooding and landslides, leading to the evacuation of several homes. Some Queenstown residents had to be rescued from their cars. Emergency Management Southland also reported that the Tuatapere water treatment plant had been inundated by floodwater by 7:30 pm, leaving the town with eight hours' of drinking water. Residents were instructed to conserve water and to avoid showering, washing dishes, or flushing the toilet. In response, the Southland District Council dispatched three water tankers to provide Tuatapere with drinking water. St Peter's College in Gore was also completely flooded. In response to the flooding, Emergency Management Southland established community emergency hubs at Gore's Croydon Lodge and the Mataura Community Centre. Police also rescued several individuals from trapped cars in Gore and Queenstown. Similar events The southern New Zealand floods coincided with an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Queenstown in mid-September 2023, which marked the township's first gastroenteritis outbreak in 40 years. By 24 September, another atmospheric river was reported to be approaching the eastern North Island. MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey forecast that the Gisborne District/Tairāwhiti and parts of the Bay of Plenty would receive two months' worth of rain within the next 48 hours. He also predicted that the atmospheric river would make its way northwest across New Zealand, touching Auckland. == Impact ==

Southland On 21 September, power utility company PowerNet reported widespread electrical outages across Southland as a result of the rain and flooding. Queenstown cemetery is located near Bob's Peak, which is below the Skyline Queenstown resort. According to Skyline chief executive Geoff McDonald, heavy rain had pooled on the top forestry track on 21 September, creating a waterfall and landslide that carried mud, stacked logs, and forestry debris down Bob's Peak into central Queenstown. For the past two years, Skyline had been clearing wilding pines on the hillside to create a firebreak around the gondola and Queenstown's Red Zone. On 22 September, the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) launched its first "mop up action" after the rain cleared. A geotechnical engineer and drone were used to assess damage to the township. Despite the flooding, local authorities confirmed that Queenstown was open to tourists. == Responses ==

Southland On 22 September, clean-up efforts by council workers, contractors, and emergency services commenced throughout the Southland region. Environment Southland catchment operations manager Randal Beale described the September 2023 flooding event at the Mataura River stop bank as less severe than the February 2020 flooding event. While the Mataura River had peaked at 2,400 cumecs in February 2020, Baele estimated that the river would peak at 1,500 cumecs in Gore at about 9pm on 22 February. In addition, several agencies and civil society groups including Civil Defence, the Southland Rural Support Trust, Federated Farmers, DairyNZ, and Beef+Lamb NZ stepped into provide support to affected residents. In mid-August 2025, the Otago Daily Times reported that Skyline Enterprises had agreed to pay NZ$10 million to repair Queenstown Cemetery and Reavers Lane following a slip on Bob's Peak on 22 September 2023. By 31 March 2025, Skyline had paid NZ$5.7 million, with a further NZ$3.7 million expected to be paid over the next few financial years. On 12 December 2025, the Christchurch District Court fined Skyline Enterprises, Naylor Love Central Otago Limited and Wilsons Contractors Limited over a total of NZ$500,000 for their role in a landslide that damaged a Queenstown street during the 2023 floods. The three companies also pleaded guilty to breaching the Resource Management Act 1991. ==Notes and references==