Access to the Kahurangi National Park from the Tasman District has been cut off by recent storm damage, while part of Abel Tasman Coast Track is temporarily closed.
DOC Northern South Island Operations Director Martin Rodd says storm damage to DOC-managed sites is wide-spread and it will take time to understand the full extent across conservation areas and facilities.
As of Monday, the region is still in a state of emergency and people are asked to delay their trips until the tracks have had a chance to dry out, Martin says.
"DOC staff are out assessing tracks and other sites where it's safe to do so. This will take some time as many roads are closed."
"The situation is changing rapidly and people should check DOC's website for up-to-date information about particular huts and tracks."
DOC knows about some significant damage already, with the Motueka area seemingly the hardest hit, Martin says.
"In Kahurangi National Park, there's no access to Flora car park as Graham Valley Rd is closed as a section has been undercut by the river. This closure is expected to be in place for some time. Flora car park is commonly used to access the region's most popular alpine walks including Wharepapa/Mt Arthur tracks and huts.
"The access road into the Cobb Valley has several large slips across it and is impassable, and access to the Wangapeka is closed by the wider flood response. This means all access roads to the south-eastern part of the Kahurangi are closed."
Martin says Abel Tasman Coast Track is being assessed as a priority and one section has been temporarily closed.
"Due to cracking on the track, the southern section between Mārahau and Anchorage has been closed for safety while we have a damage assessment done. This will happen in the coming days.
"At the northern end, the access road to Tōtaranui is also closed due to slips.
"We've had reports of some small slips, treefall and other minor impacts on other parts of the track which we will tidy up when we can.
"Heaphy Track remains open but there is some minor damage, and anyone using the track once it has dried out should take extra care."
This was the second major weather event in as many weeks and some DOC sites were already affected, Martin says.
"In the Blenheim region, the Whites Bay campsite and the local tracks remains closed as it suffered significant damage from flooding in late-June.
"Several access roads in the Marlborough Sounds and into the Mount Richmond Forest Park are also closed."
Martin says staff are working on a plan to repair the track damage where possible, but this will take some time, and there's currently no timeline or estimate of how much this could cost.
"Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by this damaging weather event," Martin says.
