Tourists stranded by flooding in New Zealand
Tourists have been stranded by flooding in New Zealand’s South Island, which saw more than a metre of rain in less than three days.
More rain is expected, which could lead to further floods, according to New Zealand’s Metservice.
A state of emergency has been declared in the popular tourist spot of Milford Sound and also in Southland.
On Tuesday, around 30 tourists were rescued by helicopter from Howden Hut, near Fiordland’s Lake Howden.
The hut was hit by a landslide in the early hours of the morning, leaving two occupants with minor injuries.
So far, 70 people have been evacuated from State Highway 94, the only road into Milford Sound, which was closed due to flood damage.
Some 382 people were reported trapped yesterday, but the number stranded today has fallen to under 200.
Some of those trapped are staying at a lodge on higher ground, while others are staying on tourist boats.
The region’s emergency management controller Angus McKay told Sky News: "They have plenty of food and are safe and warm."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025