Update 7.45pm - State Highway 1 at Rata has reopened following a serious crash earlier this afternoon.
The road, near the intersection with Putorino Road, between Bulls and Hunterville, has been closed since around 2pm.
Crews have now reopened the road with a reduced speed limit of 70 km/h in place.
The temporary speed limit will remain in place overnight.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi wants to thank road users who avoided their travel while the closure was in place and to those who took the detour in place.
Please continue to drive to the conditions through the area.
Please keep up to date with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.
Journey Planner(external link)
5pm
a detour is now in place following a serious crash which has closed a stretch of SH1 at Rata, between Bulls and Hunterville.
Emergency services on the scene will direct northbound traffic to turn right onto Kakariki Road, onto Halcombe Road, into North Street in Feilding and right to join State Highway 54 through to Vinegar Hill all the way to the intersection with SH1, north of Hunterville.
The reverse detour will be in place for southbound travellers.
Road users are strongly advised to avoid the area and delay all unnecessary travel.
3pm
A serious crash this afternoon has closed a stretch of State Highway 1 at Rata, between Bulls and Hunterville.
The road closed around 2pm near the intersection with Putorino Road.
The road is closed and emergency services are on the scene.
At this stage, there is no viable detour in place and road users are strongly advised to avoid the area and expect delays if travelling.
Please keep up to date with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.
