A handout photo taken and released by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on Sept 22, 2023 shows a road blocked by flash flooding near Makarora, a small township within the Queenstown-Lakes District of the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. (HANDOUT / WAKA KOTAHI NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY / AFP)

WELLINGTON - Homes in popular New Zealand tourism destination Queenstown had to be evacuated and a number of schools closed on Friday, as the city was hit by flooding.

Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Glyn Lewers declared a state of emergency earlier on Friday due to the impact of heavy rainfall in the area over the past 24 hours.

The lower South Island has received significant rainfall in parts over the past few days and Bluff at the southern most end of the South Island declared a state of emergency on Thursday

"Several flooding and debris events have been identified and we're continuing to contact affected people including evacuating over 100 people," Lewers said.

The lower South Island has received significant rainfall in parts over the past few days and Bluff at the southern most end of the South Island declared a state of emergency on Thursday.

READ MORE: New Zealand roiled by flash floods, landslides for third day

Schools in central Queenstown were closed, according to their websites, and the New Zealand roads authority was warning of road closures across the lower South Island.