Doesn't take much

Standing on Porirua Coast you can actually see the South Island. There isn't really that much distance between us. But having Cook Strait as a buffer can make a hell of a difference in the weather. We got some quite heavy rain at times last night, but nothing like what hit the northern end of the South Island. Flooding in Nelson & Takaka, and the West Coast, roads closed, schools closed. They were thinking about declaring a State of Emergency, but luckily the rivers peaked before things could get too bad.

And while things are getting soggy in the northern and western parts of the South Island, Canterbury is quite quickly reaching drought status.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4771535a11.html