Around 6,000 residents in the communities of Gore, Mataura and Wyndham have been ordered to evacuate.

Evacuated with helicopters

About 200 tourists were trapped at the popular Milford Sound fjord, and had to be picked up by helicopter after parts of the only road to it were washed away.

New Zealand's defense forces have had to move in and assist with helicopters and off-road trucks to evacuate people who have been stranded.