Residents of the farming community of Tapawera, near Nelson, say they have no idea when they’ll be allowed to return to their homes, isolated by landslides and floods over the weekend.

Twenty two families were evacuated or voluntarily left their property. Some have now returned.

Emergency services stood down on Sunday night as water levels eased in the Baton and Wangapeka rivers.

Ian Blair of the local Rural Support Trust says the focus on Monday will be on clearing roads so people can return home.

However, there are dozens of slips and the work could take days.