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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 2 at the intersection of Taits Road, just north of the SH5 Napier-Taupō Road turnoff is now open following an earlier serious crash.
The road was closed earlier this afternoon following the crash and a temporary detour established for road users.
Emergency services and crews have now cleared the site.
Please drive to the conditions and take care when driving through the area overnight.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Contractors will be on the job at the end of this week ensuring State Highway 1 between Picton and Blenheim is in top shape for peak holiday traffic.
Resealing work is planned at the Picton Elevation, just south of Picton, for Thursday (12 December) and Friday (13 December) between six am and seven pm.
The highway was repaired earlier this year after it was damaged by changes in groundwater flows.
Since then, a reduced temporary speed limit has been in place until a layer of chipseal could be applied once the weather was warm enough. This week’s chip sealing work will enable all three lanes to be restored to 100 km/h.
While the work is underway, State Highway 1 will be under stop/go traffic management and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit. Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.
After the road resurfacing is finished a 30 km/h temporary speed limit will remain in place until Saturday, 14 December. This is to allow the new road surface to bed in properly.
It is essential drivers obey the speed limits in place at the work site. They are there to keep drivers safe, but also to protect the road and vehicles from damage.
Drivers travelling to and from Picton, particularly those with ferry connections, must allow extra time for their journeys.
These works are part of the ongoing state highway summer maintenance programme and are critical for ensuring highways remain safe and resilient for drivers.
Works schedule and location map:
Summer Maintenance Season – Tips and Advice:
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
This December the world’s best endurance athletes will converge on Taupō to swim, bike and run the Vinfast Ironman 70.3 World Championships for 2024.
Vinfast Ironman 70.3 World Championships 2024(external link)
“While athletes complete their training, road users should also prepare for day time road closures and an influx in visitors,” says Andrew Brosnan, Waikato Journey Manager for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)
“Around 6000 competitors plus their supporters are expected to travel from overseas to take part in the event, with most of them arriving in Taupō up to a week prior to race day, so it’s going to be a busy time on the roads,” Mr Brosnan says.
As part of the cycle leg of the event, State Highway 5 between Wairakei and Golden Springs will be closed from 6am to 5pm on Saturday 14 December and again on Sunday 15 December.
While SH5 is closed, traffic between Taupō and Rotorua will be detoured via SH1 and SH30 through Ātiamuri.
“This will only add approximately 5 minutes to journey times,” says Mr Brosnan, “but drivers should also be aware that Broadlands Road, a common alternative route between Taupō and Rotorua, will also be closed as it is on the cycle route for the Ironman.”
“Regular users of SH5 and Broadlands Road will already be seeing an increase in cyclists on the road leading up to the event as athletes familiarise themselves with the course, so please drive carefully and be mindful of cyclists,” Mr Brosnan says.
To coincide with the event, there will be no SH1 maintenance project work happening between Tokoroa and Taupō during the Ironman and in the week beforehand.
SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru maintenance
Drivers are also reminded that on Saturday 30 November the annual Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge will see thousands of cyclists take to the roads around the lake. Cyclists will be heading north on State Highway 1 between Turangi and Taupō and drivers are asked to be patient and allow plenty of room when passing.
Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge (external link)
The SH1 East Taupō Arterial is closed until early December, with traffic detoured down Broadlands Road, Ohaaki Road and SH5. The Gravel Grind course for the Cycle Challenge crosses Broadlands Road twice, with Stop/Go traffic control in place to give the crossing cyclists priority in both locations.
NZTA recommends drivers allow extra time for journeys if travelling through Taupō on 30 November and we also suggest checking Journey Planner for the latest traffic and travel information.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 1 (SH1) at Karāpiro, south of Cambridge, will be closed for 4 days in January for maintenance and repair work.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Waikato Bay of Plenty Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations, Roger Brady says during the closure all traffic will need to take detours or alternative routes to avoid the area.
“A closure is the most efficient and safest way to complete the necessary works. The closure is between Karāpiro Road south to SH1/29 at Piarere and runs from midnight on Sunday 12 January to midnight on Thursday 16 January 2025.
“To get maintenance and repair work done quickly, safely and cost effectively, these full closures will become a regular event – up to 3 to 4 times a year. We appreciate this will have a major impact on people and we will give as much notice as possible of closures,’’ says Mr Brady.
During the January works, contractors will lay 42,000m2 of chipseal and apply a second seal on barrier areas and shoulders. They will also carry out works at the intersection with Maungatautari Road, and general maintenance such as mowing and sign repairs.
All properties within the closure and sideroads leading to it will have access maintained but delays are expected. Vehicles will be grouped and piloted through the site on the following schedule:
All visitors and service providers can join this piloted access when they are visiting a property within the closure.
Emergency services will have full access through the site at all times.
Detour routes
While access to properties within the closure will be maintained, all other traffic should use the detours:
Traffic presenting at the stacking points at the north and south of the works area will not be turned around and can join the piloted convoys.
“We understand this work and the associated closures will cause inconvenience and we appreciate everyone’s patience.
“Our state highway network is essential for moving people and goods around the country, and this work is necessary to ensure the road is safe and accessible for everyone who travels on it,” says Mr Brady.
As always, work is weather dependent and any changes will be updated on Journey Planner.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The National Ticketing Solution (NTS) known as Motu Move, started its pilot of contactless payments yesterday on the Route 29 bus from Christchurch airport to the city
On that bus route, customers can now pay for adult non-concession fares with debit or credit cards or devices, alongside the existing Metrocard and cash payment options.
“We’re excited to have this key component of the Motu Move solution available for Route 29’s regular users and visitors to the city to try over the summer,” says NTS Executive Sponsor Yogesh Anand.
“The implementation of the first phase of Motu Move will start in Timaru and Temuka in early 2025 followed by Greater Christchurch. Customers will then be able to choose to use their debit or credit card, or a prepaid Motu Move card, and will be able to add fare concessions to any of those payment methods. “
Motu Move is scheduled to be live in all regions across New Zealand by the end of 2026.
More information about the rollout in Canterbury will be finalised soon, along with an updated schedule for subsequent regional rollouts.
For details on the Route 29 pilot and more information about Motu Move, go to:
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Early work begins next Monday (9 December) at the site of a major underslip on State Highway 35 at Kopuaroa, north of Tokomaru Bay.
Next week’s work will involve moving the guard rail from the edge-line to the centre-line, and setting up the site, ahead of repair work on the underslip beginning in January 2025.
This section of state highway has been down to one lane with traffic lights since Cyclone Gabrielle and will remain as one lane for the remainder of the project.
Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance crews, on behalf of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, expect to finish the repair work in May 2025 and return this section of SH35 back to two lanes.
The slip repair will involve inserting soil nails into the rockface, constructing a shotcrete wall and reinstating the road shoulder.
This site at Kopuaroa is one of a number on SH35 between Ruatoria and Te Puia Springs underway before Christmas.
These include Kahuitara (Jeru) Culvert, Makarika Valley #3, Kopuaroa Stream Bridge and Kopuaroa underslip. While Kahuitara Culvert and Makarika Valley #3 are expected to finish before Christmas, both Kopuaroa sites will continue into the New Year as well as a third Kopuaroa site planned to get underway in mid-January.
Sites will either be under stop/go traffic management or have traffic lights. It’s important to respect temporary speed restrictions and follow the instructions from crews onsite, to keep road users, communities and roading crews safe.
This summer roadworkers are out across the country making improvements. Expect delays and allow extra time before you travel. Road workers are out in all weather and do their best to keep everyone moving. Be tolerant and respectful of all crew members and follow any instructions on site. They’re helping to keep you safe.
NZTA and TREC advises road users to plan their journeys and expect delays while we continue to boost the resilience and safety of SH35 and ultimately efficiency for communities and road users.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Roading crews will be turning their attention to a stretch of State Highway 2 just north of Waipawa from January.
The road rebuild will be carried out in stages from 13 January to the end of March. Crews will focus on a 500 metre stretch of SH2, between Tamumu Road and Victoria Street.
Work will initially be focussed on installing new kerbs and improving channels. This is a continuation of the kerb and channel work undertaken in this section earlier this year.
Once the kerbs and channels are completed, crews will start rebuilding the road surface. This will involve recycling the existing road materials with cement added to the road, to improve and extend the life of the road and improve the journey through this section.
“Our crews will be working days and some nights to speed up the works and complete the job as quickly as possible,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Rua Pani.
“There will be different traffic management set ups at different stages of the work which will be communicated before the works begin. We advise road users to please expect short delays through this worksite at times and to plan their journeys accordingly.”
“We know this work will involve some disruption for road users and residents, and for local businesses and communities in the area. We also know Waipawa has already seen its fair share of work during earlier improvements on the main street and we are working with Central Hawkes’ Bay District Council (CHBDC) to minimise the impact these works will have on the community.”
“We know State Highway 2 needs this work and it’s long overdue,” said Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker.
“It’s going to be tough on the community and everyone passing through, but we’re pushing for NZTA to get in and get the job done quickly. We’re focussed on making sure the impacts are managed as much as possible and that everyone knows what to expect.”
This work is part of a larger NZTA road renewal programme aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the Hawke’s Bay region’s state highways.
“Ultimately, this work will improve the efficiency of travel for all road users, hopefully minimising disruptions in future,” says Ms Pani.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Construction of the new 4-lane expressway connecting Tauranga and Te Puna continues to make great progress with the team racking up 2 million hours of work on the Takitimu North Link project so far, as the third year of construction draws to a close.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Acting Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Bruce Waugh says, “Reflecting on the significant progress is a great way to wrap up 2024. It’s been a cracking year for the crews on site. 4 out of 10 bridges have been built, 1.5 million cubic metres of dirt has been shifted, and local roads are finished in the Bethlehem/Tauriko area.
“It’s exciting to see the new road alignment really begin to take shape. The expressway will bring strong safety benefits and increased productivity for people travelling through the western Bay of Plenty.”
“Being an “offline” project, with much of the work happening away from the road, it’s not always visible to the public, but people can get regular progress updates through drone footage and our newsletter,” says Mr Waugh.
Takitimu North Link project(external link)
View the aerial video over Wairoa Valley, at the centre of the project site here –
Takitimu North Link – Wairoa Valley comparison May 2022 to November 2024(external link)
“In the Wairoa Valley, bookended by the newly constructed Cambridge Road and Wairoa Road bridges, there is a heap of activity happening with earthworks and environmental controls each side of Wairoa Awa (river), and the construction of the 355m bridge which spans the valley flood plains. The road will provide the community with opportunities to enjoy the awa in ways not experienced for a very long time, providing access to the riverbanks in this area.”
This Road of National Significance project is more than building great infrastructure, with wider benefits such as providing jobs and career opportunities, contributing to local economy and upskilling communities.
“It’s well understood in the industry that these major infrastructure projects have far reaching benefits to the communities they are in. With Takitimu North Link more than 200 people are employed, and more than 2000 have worked on various aspects of the project to date,” says Mr Waugh.
“Projects of this size and scale need a range of skills throughout the project life and, to date, we’ve worked with nearly 200 sub-contractors with half of those being local businesses based here in the western Bay. Some of the types of businesses we work with that people might not realise are occupational health, security, cleaning, energy, signage, shade and ecology.”
There’s a high level of interest in the site from an environmental perspective, with several industry groups visiting site and knowledge sharing through the project’s extensive environmental programme.
Fast facts
Key sites for the 2024/25 construction season:
Work continues at several other locations on site with remaining bridges under construction at Smiths Farm, Wairoa Awa (River), and Minden Gully. At SH2 Loop Road a large culvert is being constructed.
The Takitimu North Link Stage 1 project is a Road of National Significance supporting economic growth and productivity in the western Bay of Plenty, by providing a reliable, resilient and safe expressway connection between Tauranga and Te Puna. People can keep up to date with traffic impacts through our regular bulletins and on the NZTA Waka Kotahi Facebook page. Take extra care by following signs and instructions from our traffic management team.
For more information about the project go to:
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Drivers travelling on highways in the lower North and Upper South Islands need to be ready for bad weather driving conditions.
The Metservice has issued weather watches for both regions for this afternoon and overnight, meaning drivers must take extra care on the roads.
Top of the South:
A Heavy Rain Warning has been issued for Tasman west of Motueka, and the Grey and Buller Districts. They apply until early tomorrow morning (Monday). A Heavy Rain Watch is also in place for Marlborough west of Havelock.
Wind Warnings and Watches are in place for Marlborough, the Kaikoura ranges and Kaikoura coast.
This bad weather will affect State Highway 1 in Marlborough, State Highway 6 Blenheim to Nelson, State Highway 63 Wairau Valley to St Arnaud, State Highway 60 Tākaka, and State Highway 6 Buller Gorge
Lower North Island:
For Wellington and Wairarapa, a Strong Wind Warning is in force from late afternoon to early Monday morning, and a Heavy Rain Warning has also been issued for the Tararua Ranges.
This weather will affect all regional state highways. State Highway 2 and State Highway 53 in Wairarapa. State Highway 1, 2, 58 and 59 in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, and the Kāpiti Coast.
Driving Advice:
Drivers of high-sided vehicles, light vehicles, and motorcyclists should exercise caution when travelling on exposed routes such as State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill and Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully. Be prepared for hazards such as wind gusts, wind-blown debris, and potential tree falls.
Where heavy rain is forecast, drivers must be alert to the increased risk of slips, rockfalls, and localised flooding.
The poor weather will also coincide with peak traffic on Monday morning. Commuters must drive to the conditions – if the roads are wet, increase your following distance, avoid sudden braking, and use your headlights if visibility is poor.
Weather warnings and watches have also been issued for other regions in the South Island, including the West Coast, alpine passes, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.
Roads can be closed at short notice in severe weather. Drivers should check road and weather conditions before they travel.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is warning people planning on travelling through South Westland throughout Sunday and overnight that SH6 could be closed at short notice if heavy rain sets off fresh slips or rockfall.
The highway was closed for 12 days after the 9 November deluge as rockfall, slips and flooding were cleaned up.
Although the route has since re-opened, ongoing rockfall protection work is underway and intense rain could still trigger rockfalls and slips, says Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA, Central South Island.
“We are monitoring the area around Epitaph Slip this weekend and if rainfall does intensify on Sunday, we may close that section of route on Sunday, 8 December, either because of fresh activity, or as a precautionary approach. This will be the largest rainfall since we had the original issues there.”
The latest MetService forecasts include an orange heavy rain warning for Westland District (Hokitika south to South Westland/ Haast), potentially up to 280mm from the early hours of Sunday morning.
There is a heavy rain watch in place for Grey and Buller Districts from late Sunday morning into Monday, which may lead to surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions.
Canterbury headwaters and lakes may also catch the West Coast rain on Sunday with strong winds (up to 150 km/hour in exposed places) forecast for the Canterbury Plains, including SH73 (where the fire is burning between Flock Hill and Castle Hill), Banks Peninsula, the Kaikōura coast and Top of the South Island/Wellington (SH1).
The SH73 route between Springfield and Arthur’s Pass could get strong winds. While SH73 is currently open, traffic is being piloted between Flock Hill and Castle Hill daytimes to 9pm while Fire and Emergency helicopters and ground crews are working to put out the fire. Overnight, this section of highway will have a speed limit of 50km/hour until warning signs are restored after the Thursday/ Friday fire.
MetService wind and rain warnings below, including Top of the South and Wellington.