In 1968 the central part of Greymouth still flooded as it had when the first European settlers arrived 100 years earlier. It was only after the Earthquake Commission refused to continue paying insurance for flood damage that a flood protection wall was built. Photo: Te Ara / Public Domain
Parts of NZ have just experienced serious flooding. This is nothing new. NZ's history is permeated by flooding events, some of which have caused loss of life. We often hear the term 'flood-ravaged' used in relation to some areas. Grant Morris, our regular historian, from Victoria University asks what it means to be part of NZ that has been historically 'flood-ravaged'.
