Otago

The Otago region is experiencing its wettest day in over a century with flooding in many areas and roads blocked.

Numbers of evacuees overnight were unclear, but the St Clair Golf Club was full by 2:50 am, according to RNZ, and further evacuees were advised to go to the stadium.

Six new marine reserves, from Oamaru to The Catlains increase mainland reserves by 67 per cent and provide protection to some of the most endangered native species.