Kapiti flood doesn't dampen students' day

Residents of Mazengarb Road made the most of a damp situation yesterday, taking to the flowing floodwater on blow-up boats and dingies.

The busy Paraparaumu Beach stretch was one of a collection of streets closed off by police because of deep flooding, which saw nearby Kena Kena School closed for the day.

Local mother of four Jacqui McKenzie was among the residents affected by floodwater, which sat at the doorsteps of homes and struck driveways, lawns and cars.

"Our car was pretty much ruined by water damage," said Miss McKenzie, whose children rugged up in raincoats and gumboots to brave the puddles.

"A neighbor came over this morning at about quarter to six and said our car was half submerged, so I went out and got in the car and the water was higher than the pedals.

"I managed to park it around the corner and spent the day emailing pictures and liaising with insurance."

For children of Mazengarb Road, their regular school day was replaced with an afternoon of stomping and splashing and free boat rides.

"The kids loved the rain, they were a bit perplexed but the neighbours offered them rides on their boats, and we were singing Row Row Row Your Boat down the road.

"It was actually really fun to have all the neighbours in one place saying hello to each other.

"How often can you row down your street on a boat?"

FLOOD FUN: Melody Bazley, 1, tested out the water in gummies and wet weather gear outside her Paraparaumu Beach home. Photo: Jacqui McKenzie.