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SH1 between Hunterville and Taihape now OPEN

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 16 Feb 2026 6:30pm | Manawatū-Whanganui

State Highway 1 between Hunterville and Taihape has reopened.

This stretch of road remains under stop/go traffic management in multiple locations, so care is needed.

There is a reduced speed in place.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is continuing to advise against unnecessary travel as heavy rain and strong winds have been impacting the region.

As at 6.30pm

  • SH1 is NOW OPEN between Hunterville and Weka Street in Taihape
  • SH54 is currently CLOSED between Vinegar Hill and Cheltenham
  • SH56 at Opiki is currently CLOSED due to flooding
  • SH4 is currently CLOSED between Whanganui and Raetihi

Crews are continuing to inspect slips and fallen trees on the roads. While we want to restore access as quickly as possible, that needs to be done safely.

We will continue to provide updates as soon as possible.

We’re aware of reports that people travelling are detouring onto local roads. The weather is also impacting many of those local roads too, which is why it’s so important people take extreme care and avoid unnecessary travel if they can.

If you do need to travel today, please drive with extra care, to the conditions and make sure to check Journey Planner or Facebook(external link) before you go for the latest state highway conditions. 

Remember to switch on your headlights on, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards in these conditions.

Update: 5pm

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is strongly advising against unnecessary travel as heavy rain and strong winds continue to lash the region.

As at 5pm

We’re aware of reports that people travelling are detouring onto local roads. The weather is also impacting many of those local roads too, which is why it’s so important people take extreme care and avoid unnecessary travel if they can.

If you do need to travel today, please drive with extra care, to the conditions and make sure to check Journey Planner or Facebook(external link) before you go for the latest state highway conditions. 

Remember to switch on your headlights on, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards in these conditions.

Update: 1.15pm

State Highway 4 is now CLOSED between Whanganui and Raetihi due to flooding and fallen trees.

As at 1.15pm

  • SH3 is currently CLOSED between Makirikiri Line and Pukepapa Road
  • SH54 is currently CLOSED between Vinegar Hill and Cheltenham
  • SH1 is currently CLOSED between Hunterville and Taihape. This closure maybe extended to Waiouru
  • SH4 is currently CLOSED between Whanganui and Raetihi
  • SH56 at Opiki is currently CLOSED, due to rising water levels
  • Napier-Taihape Road is currently CLOSED due to the current weather conditions. For further updates, please refer to https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/services/roads-and-streets/road-works(external link)

Please continue to drive with extreme caution around the region and keep up to date with NZTA Journey Planner.

Update: 11.45am

State Highway 56 is now closed at Opiki as heavy rain and strong winds continue to leave an impact on the region.

A number of other state highways are closed, with a mixture of fallen trees and power lines blocking lanes.

As at 11.45am

  • SH3 is currently CLOSED between Makirikiri Line and Pukepapa Road
  • SH54 is currently CLOSED between Vinegar Hill and Cheltenham
  • SH1N is currently CLOSED between Hunterville and Taihape. This closure maybe extended to Waiouru
  • SH4 is currently OPEN however there are speed and size restrictions in place.  Only cars are currently being let through.  It is possible this route will close so a further update will be sent once this has been confirmed
  • SH56 at Opiki is currently CLOSED, due to rising water levels
  • SH57 is currently CLOSED at the intersection of Tane Road.  A detour is in place

A number of Metservice weather warnings remain in place today for the region – so please avoid travel if you can. If you must travel, be careful, be alert to flooding, debris, fallen trees and the possibility of further short-notice closures.

Update 7.15am:

  • SH1 Hunterville to Taihape is CLOSED
  • SH1 at just north of Foxton is CLOSED
  • SH3 is CLOSED SH4 to Whangaehu
  • SH54 from SH1 to Cheltenham, is CLOSED
  • SH3 Turakina is now OPEN
  • SH3 Awahuri is now OPEN
  • SH56 is very likely (will) to close (fairly normal in this rain)
  • Flooding will become apparent as daylight dawns, and as the water moves down into the catchment areas from the ranges. 

Please take care on the roads, delay your travel if possible but if you must travel, be alert to the possibility of surface flooding and adjust your speeds and following distances accordingly. 

Please also be aware of the possibility of short notice road closures as we continue to monitor the warnings in place, the rainfall levels and any possible slips or damage.

Crews are on standby ready to respond to issues around the region.

Update: 5.45am

As heavy rain and strong winds continue to make their presence felt around the region, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is closely monitoring all local state highways.

A number of Metservice warnings remain in place for strong winds and heavy rainfall.

As at 5.45am Monday:

  • State Highway 1 Ohingaiti to Taihape is currently CLOSED, due to multiple fallen trees.
  • Napier-Taihape Road is currently CLOSED due to the current weather conditions. For further updates, please refer to https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/services/roads-and-streets/road-works(external link)
  • State Highway 3 Putiki to Whangaehu is currently CLOSED due to fallen trees
  • State Highway 1 is CLOSED at Foxton, between Victoria Street and Motuiti Road due to a fallen tree

Please avoid travel where necessary. 

If you do need to travel today, please drive with extra care, to the conditions and make sure to check Journey Planner or Facebook(external link) before you go for the latest state highway conditions. 

Remember to switch on your headlights on, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards in these conditions.

Update: 12pm, Sunday

A number of Metservice warnings are in place for the region:

  • Heavy rain warning for inland Whanganui and Manawatū. Effective from 6pm today til 2pm tomorrow
  • Strong wind warning for Whanganui and Taihape. Effective from 8pm today til 10am tomorrow
  • Strong wind warning for Manawatū. Effective from 7pm today til 7am tomorrow

Please take care on the roads, delay your travel if possible but if you must travel, be alert to the possibility of surface flooding and adjust your speeds and following distances accordingly. 

Please also be aware of the possibility of short notice road closures as we continue to monitor the warnings in place, the rainfall levels and any possible slips or damage.

Crews are on standby ready to respond to issues around the region.

If you do need to travel this weekend, or early Monday, please drive with extra care and make sure to check Journey Planner or Facebook(external link) before you go for the latest state highway conditions. 

Remember to switch on your headlights on, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards in these conditions. 

If you see any issues on the state highways, report them to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).