UPDATE 9:20 am:
Contractors are continuing to assess damage and respond to incidents across the state highway network in the top of the South Island today.
While the weather has improved, areas remain flooded, the ground is saturated, and the potential for further slip and flood closures remains. Please check road, weather, council, and Civil Defence updates for the latest information.
Existing state highway closures mean there is no direct access to the West Coast from either Nelson or Blenheim.
Nelson/Tasman
State Highway 60 has reopened between the Motueka River Bridge and Riwaka Kaiteriteri Road.
The route reopened to traffic around 7:45 am.
However, there have been further slips on State Highway 6 between Nelson and Murchison meaning the highway closure in this area has been extended.
Significant slips need to be cleared on the Hope Saddle and Spooner’s Saddle, and flooding continues to affect the highway at Kohatu. State Highway 6 is now CLOSED between Belgrove and Murchison
Marlborough
State Highway 63 remains closed between Renwick and Saint Arnaud, with the highway washed out at Andersons Floodway Bridge between Wairau Valley Township. The route is expected to remain closed today and into tomorrow.
Current state highway closures:
General advice
Flooding continues to affect roads across the top of the South Island and surface flooding and damage can be expected in areas where roads have been reopened to traffic. Drivers must exercise caution, expect hazards, and drive to the conditions.
People are encouraged to check for updates from local authorities for the latest information, and to report any state highway faults or damage to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
Update 28 June 6:15 am:
State Highway 1 has reopened between Koromiko between Koromiko and Mount Pleasant.
The highway reopened at around 5:45 am this morning.
Current State Highway Closures:
More Information:
Update 5:30pm, 27 June:
State Highway 1 is now closed between Spring Creek and Koromiko due to flooding.
There is no access for traffic between Picton and Blenheim as no local road detours are available. Drivers with Picton ferry connections can expect delays until floodwaters subside and the road reopens.
Current State Highway Closures:
Update 5pm:
State Highways are beginning to reopen in the top of the South Island this afternoon.
State Highway 6 has reopened between Nelson and Blenheim.
The highway’s closure in Tasman has been reduced and now only applies between Belgrove and Quinney’s Bush (near Kohatu). This section of State Highway 6 is expected to remain closed overnight due to fallen trees, flooding, and a slip on Spooners Hill. Contractors are working to clear these.
State Highway 60 is now open between Richmond and Collingwood, but with one localised closure in place from the Motueka River Bridge to Riwaka/Kaiteriteri Road.
While the weather is easing, road conditions remain hazardous. Road users should drive with extreme caution.
Current State Highway Closures:
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island / Top of the South says there has been extensive flooding on both state highways and local roads and this is why some closures remain in place.
“This limits the detours available, and safety has to be the priority overnight. Roads will be reopened when it is safe to do so. Please, avoid any unnecessary travel and stay off closed roads – don’t put yourself or others at risk.”
And Mr Owen warns that when roads do reopen, drivers can’t take a business-as-usual approach.
“This weather will have damaged highways and local roads, and not all of it will be immediately apparent. Please, drive cautiously and be ready for any hazards the flooding may have caused.”
“Looking ahead, drivers will also need to be ready for ongoing roadworks and repairs across the network. While we still have to assess what needs to be done, road users can expect to see traffic management at various locations across the top of the South over the coming weeks,” Mr Owen says.
He says there has been some good news from recent project works completed over the summer state highway maintenance season.
“Earlier this year we completed flood protection works on State Highway 1 near Dashwood. This is an area that used to commonly be closed by flood water during heavy rain.’
“However, today the works proved their worth and the highway remained open,” Mr Owen says.
Regular updates on the flooding and its impact are being provided by Civil Defence, local Councils, and other partner agencies. People are encouraged to check their updates for the latest information, and to report any state highway faults or damage to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
Update 11:45am
Multiple state highway closures remain in place across the top of the South Island as heavy rain and flooding continues to affect the region.
Highway closures:
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island / Top of the South says the closures are necessary to keep people safe.
“States of Emergency have been declared in Nelson City, Tasman District, and the Blenheim Ward in Marlborough. That shows how serious the situation is.”
“It is critical people stay off closed roads. Disobeying closures puts yourself and others at risk,” Mr Owen says.
He says work is ongoing across the network to assess the flooding and damage it has caused.
“We know people want to know when roads will reopen, but we can only do this when it is safe to do so. We will provide updates as the situation changes.”
“It is too soon to quantify how much damage the bad weather has caused. That will be assessed once this weather has passed and we move from a response to recovery approach,” Mr Owen says.
In the meantime, Mr Owen says people should continue to check weather and road condition updates, as well as information provided by local councils and Civil Defence.
“Local authorities and agencies are working closely on this and doing their best to get information out as quickly as possible. Make sure you follow their updates.”
People are also encouraged to report any state highway faults or damage to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
More Information:
Update 9:30am
There has been an additional State Highway closure in the top of the South Island due to bad weather and flooding.
State Highway 6 is now closed to all traffic between Hira and Rai Valley.
Other Closures:
Drivers must stay off weather-affected highways while they remain closed and avoid any unnecessary travel.
Update 8:20 am
Bad weather and flooding are causing further state highway closures in the top of the South Island this morning.
Drivers must stay off weather-affected highways while they remain closed and avoid any unnecessary travel.
Flooding has closed State Highway 6 between Belgrove and Richmond.
State Highway 60 has also been closed across its entire length from Richmond to Collingwood because of flooding at multiple locations.
State Highway 63 now has a full closure from St Arnaud to Anglesea Street in Renwick
Update: 6:50am
With heavy rain affecting the top of the South Island overnight, and continuing to fall this morning, road crews are attending multiple incidents on state highways across the region.
Wet weather driving conditions apply and road users can experience traffic management at multiple locations due to flooding, rockfalls, and slips.
Rob Service, System Manager, says there are multiple flooding and slips sites in the Nelson/Tasman region
“State Highway 6 near Wakefield, is under a temporary closure for light vehicles due to flooding.”
“State Highway 60 at the Riwaka/Kaiteriteri intersection is also affected by flooding and slips have also been reported on the Tākaka Hill,” Mr Service says.
There is also localised flooding at the Three Brothers intersection (SH6/SH60), as well as in Brightwater, Belgrove, and Kohatu.
Mr Service says with heavy rain still falling, the potential for further disruption on local highways remains
“It is essential drivers take extreme caution on the roads while the bad weather continues. Road crews are attending multiple incidents and are doing their best to resolve issues as they arise.”
Flooding has closed State Highway 63 in Renwick between Anglesea Street and Inkerman Street. Local road detours are available, and drivers can expect delays.
System Manager Wayne Oldfield says surface flooding has also been reported at multiple sites.
“This includes State Highway 6 at Havelock, State Highway 63 in the Wairau Valley, and State Highway 1 near Koromiko.”
“These sections of highway are currently open, but driving conditions are challenging. While the rain continues to fall, drivers must be prepared for road hazards and the possibility of road closures,” Mr Old field says.
The Metservice has regional weather warnings in place until this afternoon and evening for both Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough. This means the risk of flooding, slips, rockfalls remains ongoing.
Drivers must check road and weather conditions before they travel and avoid any area where highways are closed due to bad weather.
All road closures must be obeyed. They are there to keep the public safe.
