Nelson's Maitai River in flood on 18 August, 2022. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
It's been two years to the day since the skies opened on Nelson and it did not stop raining for five days.
The heavy rain - referred to as an atmospheric river - caused flooding and what is now known as New Zealand's largest urban landslip.
There were more than 400 landslips in all and about 1200 people had to be evacuated from their homes.
The Nelson City Council has bought out 10 Brook St properties and seven others are eligible for buyout.
Homeowners continue to deal with issues around land stability and insurance - such as Scott May who woke up one day in August to find 160 tonnes of soil had piled up against his house.
Work to resolve the issues continues and he's now concerned the payout he's received from EQC won't be enough to cover the extensive geotechnical work needed.
Scott tells his story to Paddy, but first Nelson mayor Nick Smith gives his reflections on the city's long road to recovery from that 2022 storm.
The mayor took aim at how EQC - now known as the Natural Hazards Commission - processed claims.
He said the way his city's residents had been treated following the August 2022 weather event was inhumane and pedantic.
In response, the Commission's chief executive Tina Mitchell recognised the devastation the August 2022 event caused for Nelson residents.
She said the organisation's decisions around compensation were defined by recently reformed legislation.
What the commission did have discretion with was investing into scientific research to better inform decisions for households around unstable land like the Tahunanui slump.
Photo: Supplied by Scott May
