Dunedin City Mayor Jules Radich has declared a state of emergency due to severe rainfall and flooding affecting the city.

South Dunedin has been particularly impacted, with residents in Caversham, near Hillside Road and Surrey Street, urged to self-evacuate if they feel unsafe.

Authorities advised residents to seek higher ground and, if possible, stay with friends or whānau.

For those unable to find a safe place to stay, an evacuation centre has been set up at the St Clair Golf Club on Isadore Road, with Red Cross volunteers on-site to assist.

Landslips have occurred on Aramoana Road between Careys Bay and Deborah Bay, as well as on the access road to Smaills Beach from Tomohawk Road.

Both areas are now unsafe for travel.

There have been reports of drivers causing issues by travelling through flooded areas, and authorities are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel, warning that surface flooding in other areas may be difficult to detect.

Sandbags remain available at various locations overnight, including the South Dunedin Ice Stadium, Mosgiel Memorial Park carpark, and Middlemarch Showgrounds. Demand in South Dunedin is high, and officials are asking for patience.