Flood flows on South Island's Buller River this month were the largest in New Zealand in almost 100 years, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) announced on Thursday.

A plan is being considered to relocate the flood-prone West Coast town of Westport. Westport has been repeatedly inundated by flooding since European settlement but that has escalated in recent years.

The waves are located just out of town where the breakwater keeps the entrance to the Buller River in check. Head out past the horse track and follow the road out to the jetty where you can park ...