Drivers hitting the road today and tomorrow are urged to check road and weather conditions before they travel.
The Metservice has issued a series of weather warnings around the country.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place for this afternoon and evening, covering the Canterbury High Country, North Otago, Central Otago, Southern Lakes, Dunedin, Clutha, Southland, Fiordland.
A Strong Wind Watch has been issued for Kapiti Coast, Wellington, and coastal Marlborough from early Friday morning until early Friday afternoon. Southerly gales are forecast.
Further north, a Strong Wind Watch will apply to coastal areas of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne/Tairawhiti on Friday afternoon and evening, and a Heavy Rain Warning is in force for Gisborne/Tairawhiti from early Thursday morning to early Friday morning.
Drivers travelling over the holiday period must be prepared for challenging driving conditions in these areas and take proper precautions.
Heavy rain increases the risk of slips and flooding, and strong winds mean drivers of high-sided and towing vehicles, and motorcycles must take extra care in exposed areas.
Be ready for unexpected hazards and be aware that bad weather can see roads closed at short notice.
Check the weather and road conditions before you head off and allow extra time for your journeys.
Update 12:20 pm. The crash site has been cleared and the southbound lanes have reopened. State Highway 2 is now open to traffic in both directions.
Drivers can expect some delays while queued traffic clears.
11:10 am:
Drivers heading from Upper Hutt to Wellington City can expect delays on State Highway 2 following a crash near Manor Park this morning.
The highway’s southbound lanes are closed at the Manor Park southbound offramp/State Highway 58 interchange, while the Police Serious Crash Unit (SCU) investigates the incident.
The crash, involving a motorcyclist was reported shortly before 9:30 am.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use an alternative route until the crash site is cleared and the Police SCU work is completed.
Updates on the highway’s status can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website:
We take a look back and count down some of the biggest conservation stories from 2024…
10. Rosvall Sawmill kiwi rescue
In April the Rosvall Sawmill crew in Whareroa alerted us to a curious kiwi who had found its way onto their work site. With the help of rangers, along with the support of Backyard Kiwi, Kiwi Coast, and Northland Regional Council, this feathered friend was in soon in safe hands.
After a thorough check-up, the little adventurer received a clean bill of health and was released into the safety of Mount Tiger, a nearby dog-free forest with strong predator control, where she “cruised off happily.”
This heartwarming story is a testament to the strength of the kiwi population in Northland thanks to dedicated predator control efforts. Since 2009, volunteers in the area have trapped more than 25,000 invasive pests.
The Hump Ridge Track in Southland became New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk in October.
Located in Te Wāhipounamu, the south-west corner of the South Island, the track is a 60 kilometre, three-day loop through southern Fiordland’s spectacular and diverse landscape. The track provides access to the spectacular southern coastline and forests, alpine tops and historic viaducts.
Breeding season for kākā was in full swing from September through to April. Pairs around Wellington were out prospecting for potential nesting sites and some human abodes became prime real estate for these feathered flat-hunters.
We had a few calls from people checking for rats in their attic and finding a parrot with a large beak looking back at them instead. Rangers corralled a kākā in the attic of a house in Aro Valley in September, and it wasn’t the only one.
The return of kākā to Wellington is a true success story, the population increased a whopping 250 per cent between 2011 and 2020, thanks to the work of Zealandia Ecosanctuary and community trapping efforts.
In May we were excited to announce the opening of the new Manganui Gorge Bridge. The 100-metre-long suspension bridge is a feat of engineering and well worth a visit for the epic views of Taranaki Maunga.
The bridge will be a major feature of the Taranaki Crossing project on Taranaki Maunga. The Taranaki Crossing is a partnership between Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, DOC and Kānoa.
6. Campbell Island celebrates 20 years predator-free
20 years ago, the seemingly impossible happened; Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku was declared predator free.
Since then, the techniques and tools that the team pioneered helped propel the world into scaling up eradications of bigger and bigger islands. Now there have been over 1,000 island eradications worldwide, with Aotearoa New Zealand being responsible for the lion’s share.
We’re still using similar techniques today as we did back then, but to be able to eradicate predators from even larger islands or mainland Aotearoa, we’ll need newer, more efficient technology.
In December Mautohe Cathedral Cove reopened to walkers in time for summer.
The walking track closed after severe damage by extreme weather events including Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle in Summer 2022-2023.
The area is renowned for its dramatic natural rock arch and idyllic waters which have previously drawn 250,000 walkers annually, playing an important role in the local economy.
In December mana whenua from Te Rūnanga o Ōtākau and scientists examined the rarest whale in the world for the first time ever.
The 5-metre-long male spade-toothed whale/tohora that washed ashore at Otago’s Taiari Mouth in July underwent a dissection at Invermay Agresearch Centre in Mosgiel.
Vestigial teeth were just one of many new discoveries made during the dissection. They also found that the whale had nine stomach chambers, which was previously unknown.
A rare Antarctic visitor arrived on the shores of Petone Beach in October. The Adélie penguin had travelled thousands of kilometres from the frozen continent.
The penguin was taken to Te Kohanga/The Nest at Wellington Zoo to recover and recuperate. Our climate isn’t suitable for these cold-weather birds. Once back to full health she got a premium water taxi service from New Zealand Police into the Cook Strait, a boost to her southward journey home.
Huge thanks to Wellington Zoo Te Nukuao, New Zealand Police, and everyone involved in helping this wayward waddler on her way.
Kiwi numbers are increasing in a remote part of Fiordland for the first time in the history of their conservation, thanks to recent aerial predator control operations.
The population of Fiordland tokoeka at Shy Lake is now growing about 2% per year, officially turning the tide and reversing their decline. A 2% increase represents a significant win for the species at a population level.
It means not only are chicks surviving long enough to replace the adults, enough are making it to adulthood to officially grow the population.
In September a “highly unusual” situation occurred on Kawau Island. A pygmy blue whale, approximately 14-15 metres long, became ‘stuck’ under the private Schoolhouse Bay Wharf.
The wedged in whale quickly became international news, with media from around the world reporting on the incident. It took immense effort from all involved, and the removal of several piles from the wharf, to free the juvenile whale.
This was a huge collaborative effort, and is couldn’t have been done it without the help of the many people on the ground. From Ngāti Manuhiri, Stanaway Marine and STF contractors, and local residents, everyone played their part in this complex operation. Thank you!
A fatality car crash before 1 pm today, north of Mangaweka on SH1, will involve two hours or more detour for SH1 road users through the Manawatū-Whanganui region, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The Police Serious Crash Unit will be investigating the causes of the crash and the highway could remain closed for several hours into the evening.
People are encouraged to delay their travel today north of Wellington if possible through this area.
SH1 is closed between Waiouru and Marton, with the alternative route on SH4 via Whanganui adding more than two hours to the journey time.
Detour
Southbound traffic heading towards Wellington use SH49 from Waiouru to Tangiwai and Tohunga Junction, then SH4 and SH3. Reverse for northbound travellers.
NZTA thanks all drivers for being patient on the detour route, which will be busy. If people can delay travel today that will help ease congestion on the detour route.
Pou whenua are carved posts used to mark out boundaries or places of significance to Māori.
The sites, located at Medlands Beach close to Bark Bay and further along at Marahau, have been closed off by DOC staff.
DOC and mana whenua are extremely disappointed by the vandalism, and are working with NZ Police to track down those responsible. Phil Crawford, Acting Operations Director, says it’s hard to believe someone would vandalise cultural pieces like this along a Great Walk.
“The first pou whenua looks as though someone took a hammer to it,” says Phil, “and paint was thrown over the second. These are mindless acts of destruction. Honestly, we’re not sure which is stranger – that someone would do something like this, or that they planned enough to bring a hammer and paint along to do it.”
“We hope that, given the amount of people on the track currently, someone must have seen something and will be able to pass the information along. If anyone has any information about this, please contact the DOC HOT line on 0800 362 468 or NZ Police on 105.”
One pou whenua is of Hohāia Rangiāuru, an important Te Ātiawa chief of Motueka. An online hui was held yesterday morning with mana whenua and DOC, where Hohāia’s descendants expressed sadness at the vandalism.
“Ka tangi te ngākau i tēnei mahi tūkino,” says Melanie McGregor, great-granddaughter of Hohāia. “I lament this act of violence.”
Replacement and future protection measures for all the pou in the National Park were discussed, and mana whenua plan to visit and perform karakia at the site to impose a rāhui which will deem the site tapu until further notice.
If anyone has any information about these crimes, please call NZ Police on 105 and cite case number 241223/3689.
From late November through early March. a team of eager individuals from Abseil Access converge on Mokai Valley in the Taihape area to search and control white bryony (bryonia diocia).
First discovered in Mokai Valley in 1991, DOC has been actively working with MPI towards the eradication of this white bryony since 1999. The plant has been considered a priority pest for national eradication since December 2006, and is included in the National Interest Pest Responses (NIPR) programme.
Senior Ranger Biodiversity Dan Tuohy says white bryony has the potential to impact on economic, biodiversity, and landscape values.
“White bryony smothers and shades out many of New Zealand’s native and desirable introduced species,” says Dan. “It’s a climbing vine, so requires a lot of grid searching in the bush, along cliff lines, and through nearby land. Control requires a surprising amount of abseiling and physical activity
Invasive weeds destroy our native plant communities, and can make the unique natural landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand unrecognisable. Weeds can also provide hiding places for pest animals, increasing the risk posed to our native bird species. Some common weeds include purple loosestrife, gorse, and even trees like wilding conifers.
Gorse is a real horror story and shows one of the worst-case scenarios for invasive weeds. Since its introduction in the mid-19th century, it has become one of the country’s most ubiquitous and recognisable weeds, and extremely expensive to control.
“We need to make sure white bryony doesn’t become the next gorse,” says Dan.
White bryony is known to be present in two places in New Zealand:
• Makino Reserve (Rangitikei River Valley) near Taihape. • Aria and Mokauiti near Te Kuiti.
If you have seen it or suspect you have seen it, please contact the Biosecurity New Zealand Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or online at: report.mpi.govt.nz/pest.
The type of information to have with your report is:
• Location (a GPS point would be good) • Photo • Size, how big is the plant • Defining features (is it flowering, fruiting, etc)
“Protecting New Zealand’s biodiversity is a team effort,” says Dan. “Together, we can make this invasive weed history.”
Perhaps you know your Daffy from your Donald, your Huey from your Louie and Dewey, but do you really know your ducks?
Communications and Media Advisor Krysia Nowak takes a duck-dive into the shallows for a quick wade around the ducks of Aotearoa.
This is the final episode, friends, with a focus on the fantastically fabulous whio. Found only in Aotearoa New Zealand (unless you happen to take a $10 note overseas), whio are more threatened than some species of kiwi – it’s time we showed them some love!
Adult whio | William Harland CC BY-ND 4.0
What’s in a name?
As Shakespeare almost once said, ‘a blue duck by any other name would still be blue’. Except these aren’t, really. At a stretch they might be a steel blue, but my personal opinion is that the name came about because ‘grey duck’ was already taken (See Ducktales Episode 1: Quacking the case on mallards and grey ducks). A more accurate name, then, is the te reo Māori ‘whio’, or ‘kowhiowhio’, said to resemble the whistling sound the males make.
Whistling you say? That’s right, no generic quacking for our whio whānau. Males have a piercing whistle, synonymous with out backcountry river soundscape, while the females utter a purring sort of growl.
You may be used to ducks living on still water, perhaps gently flowing water, a pond, a stream, a lowland river. Not so the whio; they’re thrill-seekers. Instead, picture these hardy ducks on rapids we’d usually associate with rafting and adventure sports. Even the ducklings can handle strong currents with ease, thanks to their oversized ‘umbrella-like’ feet.
Umbrella feet
Whio are only distantly related to our other ducks, as they separated from other species a long time ago. They’ve specialised in this fast-flowing environment, in fact, they’re one of only four species of duck in the world adapted to live in ‘torrent’ environments!
To give an example of their specialisation, I once saw a whio family on the pond at Tongariro National Trout Centre (they pop in occasionally, a holiday from the river I guess). I had the privilege of watching one of the adult whio chasing a mallard around the pond. Swimming near each other the differences were stark – whio with their streamlined bodies racing through the water, next to the dingy-like mallard at a relaxed pace. Needless to say, the mallard ceded the pond, and the whio emerged victorious.
Clean, clear, and cold
Whio need clean, clear, cold water to survive. Well…mostly so they can eat. Visual hunters, they peruse the current and under rocks for tasty insects and worms (with a cool beak!). They can handle the occasional flood muddying the water, but permanently silty environments kill their kai, and their ability to find it.
A whio surveying its domain | Michael Hayward CC BY-ND 4.0
So why clean and cold? Well not a whole lot of things like to live in pollution (except humans, apparently), and whio food is no exception. Prime whio fodder like mayflies, caddis, and stoneflies have high oxygen needs. Pollution uses up oxygen, and warm water holds less oxygen, so clean and cold is where it’s at.
Stoatally uncool
Imagine whio back before mammalian predators were introduced, when threats came from other birds like harriers and black-backed gulls. Birds are visual, and most (with a couple of notable exceptions) don’t have a good sense of smell. So, the ultimate whio defence strategy was born: look like a rock. People unfamiliar with whio spotting often fail to spot the ‘slightly animated rocks’ that betray a stealthy whio. Ducklings are a black and white combination that somehow disappears completely in the rapids.
Try and count whio ducklings on the move. Go on, I dare you.
Black and white whio ducklings are hard to track in the rapids | Bradley Shields CC BY-ND 4.0
Enter mammalian predators, like stoats, with an excellent sense of smell to tell boulder from bird. Suddenly, whio are *ahem* sitting ducks. Whio aren’t completely defenceless; they’re feisty and can often fight off predators, but they have no way to hide from predators who can sniff them out, and it’s difficult to fight a stoat and keep your eggs alive at the same time. If a stoat finds a female whio sitting on her nest, it’s only a matter of time before it either kills her or drives her off and eats the eggs. All the while, the male whio is diligently watching the river and sky for threats, not realising the real threat now comes from the land (this breaks my heart).
By the time conservationists realised there was a problem, there were estimated to be less than 2500 whio left in the entire country.
Whio Forever?
So, how can we stop the decline of whio? Partner up!
If we control stoats in whio habitat, we give whio their best chance of resilience in the face of other threats like climate change. We’re pretty fortunate here at DOC to have a partnership with Genesis, and with their support we’ve been able to protect more than 1,500 kilometres of river in whio habitat in locations across New Zealand.
Stoats aren’t the only threat to whio though, many of our rivers aren’t as healthy as they used to be, so habitat loss is right up there, along with climate change. Helping to keep our rivers healthy (don’t litter, plant trees, wash your car on the grass, etc), and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions (you know the drill) are actions that can help the wider picture for fabulous whio.
Whio live year-round on fast flowing rivers and streams | DOC
Well, I’m all out of ducks, and you’ve made it to the end of the ducktales blogs; well done you! Now you get to go on and share all these new facts at your Christmas parties. You’re welcome; you can thank me by being decent to ducks:
DOC Wildfire Manager Brent Swanson says it’s crucial people check whether fires are allowed in the area, and the fire status for the region, before lighting fires in the outdoors.
“The day you head out on your trip, go to the Check It’s Alright website first to follow the fire safety advice and check the local fire danger level. This tool will tell you whether it’s ok to light a fire.”
Brent says there are already very dry conditions in some places this season. There have already been several significant fires, including on conservation land, such as the December blaze in Craigieburn, Canterbury. The eastern parts of the country in particular are expected to have a high fire risk.
“Conservation land is always in a restricted or prohibited fire season, depending on the fire risk, and some areas have a year-round total fire ban.
“Although all conservation land is in a restricted fire season, people may light fires at a campsite’s designated fireplace, or in the backcountry according to specific conditions outlined on the DOC website. Care should be taken to thoroughly extinguish any campfires before leaving a site.
“If it’s a prohibited fire season, it means there is a fire ban and no fires can be lit, though fireplaces inside huts can still be used.
“There may also be useful fire safety information on the DOC webpage about the specific track, hut, or campsite being visited.”
Brent says disposing of hot ashes outside can start devastating wildfires, so ashes from hut fireplaces should be put into the metal bins provided at huts and then soaked with water.
“Gas cookers and enclosed liquid fuel stoves can usually be used at any time, but extra care should be taken if the fire risk is high. Set them up in an area that’s at least 3m clear of any vegetation on a stable, level surface, and be careful when balancing heavy pots on top as they could tip the cooker over.
“Another thing to think about is where to park the car at the start of a trip, as a hot exhaust in long grass can start a fire.”
“Fires on conservation land are often accidentally caused by people. No one wants to see native ecosystems, recreation assets, or heritage and cultural sites destroyed because of a fire, so we’re asking people to stay fire safe in the outdoors this summer.”
Public conservation land is always in a Restricted or Prohibited fire season:
Restricted fire season – means you may light fires at a campsite’s designated fireplace, and in the backcountry according to the specific conditions
Prohibited fire season – means there is a fire ban and you can not light any fires on public conservation land (you can still use fireplaces inside DOC huts).
You can light campfires at DOC campsites or day amenity areas only if:
there is no fire ban in place, and
you use the designated fireplaces/fire pits.
You can light campfires in the backcountry only if:
there is no fire ban in place
there are no notices prohibiting fires there
the fire is at least 3 metres away from trees and anything that could catch fire, and
the fire is smaller than 0.5 m in width and in height.
Backcountry refers to areas that are more than an hour’s walk from the nearest road end.
The walking track to Tāne Mahuta in Waipoua Forest has been closed since 30 September 2024. The reopening comes just in time for the summer season and busy holiday period, allowing the public to reconnect with this treasured taonga.
Visitors can now enjoy Tāne Mahuta with new features that protect this irreplaceable tree and enrich the visitor experience. As part of the Rākau Rangatira project, the site now includes a specially designed raised boardwalk, bridge, and viewing platform, ensuring safer access while minimising environmental impact.
This reopening is a key milestone in the wider Rākau Rangatira project, a collaboration between Te Roroa and DOC to enhance forest health, protect kauri trees from dieback disease, and improve visitor experiences in Waipoua Forest.
Next steps in the project include:
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease.
Long-term forest health assessments to ensure Tāne Mahuta and surrounding kauri thrive for future generations.
Further upgrades to visitor facilities and educational resources to foster a deeper understanding of kauri conservation.
“Tāne Mahuta is more than just a tree; he is a living ancestor, a sacred connection to our whakapapa and our atua. His health and survival are intertwined with the well-being of our people and the land. Seeing him protected and cared for gives us all great pride and hope for the future,” says Snow Tane, General Manager of Te Roroa.
Stephen Soole, Kauri Coast Operations Manager at DOC, expressed gratitude for the public’s patience and support during the closure.
“Tāne Mahuta holds a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders and visitors alike. We are proud to reopen this sacred site and invite everyone to visit respectfully, knowing their actions contribute to the preservation of this ancient forest,” says Stephen.
Visitors are reminded to follow biosecurity protocols during their visit, including using the wash stations provided, to protect Tāne Mahuta and the surrounding ecosystem.
For more information about Tāne Mahuta and the Rākau Rangatira project, please visit the DOC website.
Background information
About Tāne Mahuta
Tāne Mahuta currently attracts approximately 200,000 visitors per year and stands 51.5 metres tall, with a trunk diameter of 4.5 metres. It is estimated to be 1,500 years old.
According to Māori mythology, Tāne is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatūānuku the earth mother. Tāne was the child who separated his parents’ embrace and then set about clothing his mother in the forest we see today. All living creatures of the forest are regarded as Tāne’s children.
About kauri dieback disease
Phytophthora agathidicida (PA) is a soil-borne pathogen that infects Kauri trees through their roots. PA restricts the ability of kauri to transport water and nutrients between their roots and their leaves, causing the condition known as kauri dieback disease, which eventually starves the tree.
PA could have devastating effects on New Zealand’s kauri forests. It has been found in Northland, Great Barrier Island, and the Coromandel Peninsula. There is no known cure, but we can help reduce its spread by avoiding any movement of soil around the roots of kauri trees. That means making sure we stick to the tracks and have spotlessly clean footwear and any gear that might touch the ground.
While the elves may be working right up until midnight on Christmas Eve, works across the region’s roads will mostly have finished at midday today Friday 20 December, allowing road users an undisturbed run to their holiday destination.
However, just because there are no roadworks doesn’t mean there are no delays, says Sandra King, Bay of Plenty System Manager at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
“Holiday traffic will be busy at certain periods in the lead-up to Christmas and throughout the 2-week period the majority of New Zealanders have on holiday. To help with planning the best time to travel, NZTA has released the Summer Journeys traffic prediction tool.
“This tool indicates when key routes will be free-flowing, busy and at their heaviest. Along with the Journey Planner, which provides real time traffic updates, you can see when the best time is to travel and check there are no issues on the network causing delays.
We are experiencing some hot days and this is causing the road surfaces to bleed, this means you may see crews out on site laying chipseal along with a temporary speed limit to keep everyone safe.
Similar to previous years, the passing lanes on State Highway 2 (SH2), between Pōkeno and the State Highway 25 Mangatarata roundabout, will be closed during peak times. The eastbound passing lane is closed from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 December between 4am and 11pm. Westbound is closed from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 January between 4am and 11pm.
Those cruising down SH2 through the Karangahake Gorge will have more time to soak up the stunning scenery. The 600m section between Crown Hill Road and School Road has had its speed reduced temporarily from 80km/h to 50km/h, which remains in place until after Waitangi weekend. This section of the highway includes the entrance to the Karangahake Reserve, which is the starting point for many of the popular walks in the historic gorge.
“NZTA wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas. For a smooth and hassle-free trip, and to make sure you reach your destination, remember to check over your vehicle before leaving, drive safely and to the posted speed limit, and enjoy the journey. We want everyone to enjoy this time with their friends and whānau,” says Ms King.
This work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.
