27 October – UPDATE 5:15 pm:
State Highway 6 is now open between Murchison and the State Highway 65 junction at O’Sullivan’s Bridge.
Contractors have cleared the slip which closed the highway yesterday. The road is open to two lanes, but under a 30 km temporary speed limit. Drivers must drive with care through the slip site.
The temporary speed limit will change to 50 km/h on Tuesday at 7:30 am, when work at the road’s shoulder will be carried out at the site.
Buller Gorge closed.
State Highway 6 is now closed between Murchison and Inangahua because of another slip on the highway at the West Coast end of the Buller Gorge.
State Highway 6 will remain closed through the Buller Gorge overnight.
People travelling between Nelson and Westport, must avoid the area or delay their travel until this section of State Highway 6 reopens. Further updates will be provided when the highway’s status changes.
Drivers are urged to check road conditions before they travel.
27 October – UPDATE 12:25 pm:
State Highway 6 between Kohatu Junction (intersection of SH6 and Motueka Valley Highway) and Kawatiri Junction (intersection of SH6 and SH63) is now open.
The highway remains closed between Murchison and O’Sullivan’s Bridge (the intersection of SH6 and SH65).
People travelling between Christchurch and Nelson must use State Highway 1 via the east coast while this closure remains in place. This adds approximately 30 minutes to travel time.
Road crews are continuing to clear a slip on State Highway 6 near Dellows Bluff. Further updates will be provided when its status changes.
Drivers are urged to check road conditions before they travel and plan their trips accordingly.
27 October – UPDATE 10:10 am:
Closure points have been changed on State Highway 6 between Kohatu and the State Highway 65 junction.
State Highway 6 is now open between Murchison and Kawitiri – this means traffic can access Murchison via State Highway 63 and Saint Arnaud.
The highway remains closed between Kohatu and Kawatiri, and between Murchison and the State Highway 65 junction.
Road crews are working to clear slips and flood damage and reopen the road. Further updates will be provided as this work progresses.
State Highway 63 has also reopened in Renwick between the intersections of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street. The road was closed overnight due to flooding.
While the weather is improving and roads are reopening, road users must drive to the conditions and can expect road hazards. Please allow extra time for your journeys and check road conditions before you travel.
27 October – UPDATE 8:30 am:
State Highway 6 remains closed between Kohatu and the State Highway 65 junction due to slips this morning. Flooding has also closed the highway between Inangahua and the Lower Buller Gorge on the West Coast.
It means access from Nelson and Blenheim to Westport remains closed.
Contractors are working to clear slips and reopen the highway. Updates will be provided as the situation changes. .
The following state highways remain closed across the South Island:
While bad weather has eased and weather warnings have been lifted, hazardous driving conditions still remain on state highways and local roads across the South Island. Drivers must take extra care on the roads, particularly in areas that have been badly affected by yesterday’s weather.
Please drive to the conditions and obey all traffic management in place where road works and repairs are underway. Road users should allow extra time for their journeys and check road conditions before they travel.
26 October - UPDATE 10:30 pm:
Due to multiple slips, State Highway 6 is now closed between Kohatu and Murchison.
This closure is in addition to the slip that closed State Highway 6 north of the State Highway 65 intersection this afternoon.
It means there is no access to the West Coast from Nelson and the inland route from Nelson to Christchurch is also unavailable.
Road users are advised to avoid the area or delay their journey if possible.
Other South Island State Highway closures:
With bad weather continuing to affect highways across the South Island drivers are urged to check road and weather conditions before they travel, to be prepared for hazards, and to drive to the conditions.
26 October - UPDATE 9 pm:
State Highway 6 is now open between Pelorus Bridge and Havelock.
The highway had been closed since approximately three o’clock this afternoon due to flooding.
State Highway closures remain in place at the following locations:
26 October - UPDATE 8 pm:
State Highway 60 Tākaka is now open between Pupu Valley Road and Waitapu Wharf Road – a 30 km/h temporary speed limit is in place. The route was closed earlier today due to flooding.
State Highway closures remain in place at the following locations:
People travelling in the South Island must check road and weather conditions before they travel, be prepared for hazardous driving conditions, and avoid areas subject to closures.
26 October - UPDATE 6:25 pm:
State Highway 6 between Murchison and O’Sullivan’s Bridge (the intersection of SH6 and SH65) – will remain closed overnight.
This section of the highway was closed around 2:30 this afternoon due to a slip and rockfall. An update on its status will be provided tomorrow morning.
Road closures remain in place at:
Updates on their status will be provided as the situation changes.
Flooding is also affecting State Highway 6, Kaituna to Okaramio. This route is under stop/go traffic management and a 50 km/h temporary speed limit.
Drivers using State Highway 63 through the Wairau Valley also need to be alert for localised flooding near the Kowhai Point Camping Area and the intersection of Saltwater Lane.
Bad weather is also affecting highways on the West Coast, Canterbury, and Otago and Southland. People travelling in the South Island must check road and weather conditions before they travel and avoid areas subject to closures.
26 October - UPDATE 5:20 pm:
Flooding has also closed a section of State Highway 60 near Tākaka
The highway is now closed between Pupu Valley Road and Waitapu Wharf.
Drivers must delay their travel and avoid the area.
The following state highway road closures are in place in the top of the South Island:
Bad weather has also closed state highways on the West Coast, Canterbury, and Mackenzie Basin.
Drivers must check road and weather conditions before they travel and ensure they take extra care on local roads and highways. Please avoid flooded areas and known road closure points.
26 October - UPDATE 4:30 pm:
Bad weather continues to affect state highways in the top of the South Island.
State Highway 63 is now closed due to flooding in Renwick, between the intersection of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street. Local road alternatives are available.
Meanwhile, closures remain in place at:
Bad weather is also affecting highways on the West Coast, Canterbury, Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago with the following routes closed:
Drivers are urged to check road and weather conditions before they travel and make sure they take extra care on local roads and highways
26 October - 3:15 pm:
State Highway 6 is currently closed south of Murchison, between Murchison and O’Sullivan’s Bridge, following a slip near the State Highway 65 junction.
The slip occurred earlier this afternoon and has affected both lanes of the highway.
Further north, State Highway 6 is also closed between Pelorus Bridge and Havelock due to flooding. There is also localised flooding on the highway between Renwick and Havelock.
Drivers are asked to avoid both areas and delay their travel. Further updates will be provided as the situation changes.
Bad weather is affecting all state highways across the top of the South Island, the West Coast, Central Otago, and the Mackenzie Basin.
Drivers must drive to the conditions. Wet roads are slippery roads – reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and use your headlights if visibility is poor.
Wet weather increases the risk of slips, rockfalls and localised flooding. Road users must be prepared for these hazards and take extra care
It is essential to check road and weather conditions before you travel as bad weather can see roads closed at short notice.
