Heavy downpours and fierce winds continue to strike the South

Southland is under a local state of emergency from flooding, while some Queenstown residents had to evacuate away from slips.

A boil water notice is in place at Tuatapere - and residents are urged to conserve water.

Andy Muir of Gore radio station Hokonui says some homes evacuated, but the worst of it was because the drainage system couldn't cope.

Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency reports several slips in Queenstown have caused residents to self-evacuate, while the weather's closed State Highway 6 between Otago and the West Coast.