A state of emergency was declared in flooded Southland, where roads were closed and a steady downpour left homes and farms sodden.
Two bodies, believed to be those of trampers, have since been recovered via the Makarora River in Mt Aspiring National Park.
One was found on February 7 and the other the following day, by a member of the public.
Two bodies have been found in the Makarora River in Otago. Photo / File
Police said the pair may have been tramping together. "Work is ongoing to establish the circumstances of their deaths however neither is being treated as suspicious at this stage," the police said in a statement.