Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency contractors have been working to re-open access across the motu today, although wet weather is set to continue and a number of state highways remain closed.
Detour routes are in place for those that need to travel and Waka Kotahi advises those who are out on the road to take extra caution and drive to the conditions.
State Highway closures as of 5pm:
Northland region
SH1 Brynderwyn to Waipu:
- Forecast wet weather means that SH1 Brynderwyn Hills will remain closed from the SH12 intersection to Waipu.
- Motorists should expect delays with a detour via Waipu / Mangawhai. Freight and heavy vehicles are advised to detour via SH12.
Auckland region
SH1 South-Eastern Highway off-ramp:
- Due to flooding, SH1 South-eastern Motorway off-ramp southbound is currently closed. Expect delays.
SH16 Great North Road Off-ramp and Great North:
- Due to flooding and underslips, SH16 Great North Road off-ramp is currently closed. Expect delays.
Both off-ramps are expected to re-open later tonight (weather depending).
Waikato region
SH25 Thames to Coromandel:
- The slip at Ruamahunga has now been cleared and the road is open under stop/go traffic management.
SH25 Coromandel to Whitianga:
- A large slip has come down on Whangapoua Hill, and this route is now no longer accessible. Work is being undertaken to reopen this slip to one lane as soon as possible.
From Coromandel, SH25 Thames Coast Road is open and from Te Rerenga / Whangapoua, SH25 towards Whitianga is open through to Waihi (as flooding has now receded).
SH25A Kopu to Hikuai:
- A large section of the road at summit of SH25A between Kopu and Hikuai collapsed yesterday afternoon.
The highway is closed until further notice. The Tapu-Coroglen and 309 roads are also closed.
Detour is State Highway 2 via Karangahake Gorge.
SH3 Te Kūiti:
- Slips and flooding on either side of Te Kūiti township are now clear and SH3 Te Kūiti is open.
SH37 Waitomo:
- SH37 remains closed due to a large slip between the roundabout at SH3 and Fullerton Road.
Work is being undertaken to reopen this slip to one lane as soon as possible.
SH2 Karangahake Gorge:
- The gorge remains open however we are closely monitoring for any signs of flooding. The DoC carpark is closed and we discourage access to leisure facilities during this time.
Bay of Plenty/Gisborne region
SH29 Lower Kaimai to Tauriko:
- Larges slips near Ruahihi Road are being cleared and the highway is expected to re-open between Poripori Road and Tauriko later tonight (weather permitting).
- A detour is available via Poripori Road.
SH30 Tikitere to Rotoma:
- Slips are currently being cleared and SH30 (between SH33 and SH34) is scheduled to re-open later tonight (weather permitting).
- A detour is available via SH2 and SH33.
SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne:
- Flooding and slips have been cleared and the highway is now open.
Hawke’s Bay region
SH50 Maraekakaho, at Kereru Road Lower Kaimai to Tauriko:
- Fallen trees have now been cleared and this section is now open.
Delays are likely in multiple locations as road crews work to restore state highway routes.
This information is accurate at the time of release and is subject to change quickly.
Please check road and weather conditions before your journey:
Waka Kotahi Journeys(external link)
Metservice Weather Warnings(external link)
For more information on the Auckland storm event see:
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/(external link)
https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/service-disruptions/severe-weather-impact-across-the-auckland-area/(external link)
https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/(external link)
