Convoy time change ahead through SH3 Awakino Gorge
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 6 May 2026 1:50pm | Taranaki
Convoy times through State Highway 3 Awakino Gorge are changing to improve access for communities, businesses, and the freight industry.
Crews have been working hard since mid last month to restore two-lane access along this important route by clearing slips, removing debris and carrying out repairs amid tough terrain and challenging conditions.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has been working with users of this crucial stretch of highway to improve access by adjusting and expanding convoy times.
Convoy times overnight will remain the same. For this coming weekend, convoys will begin from 5pm Friday 8 May and continue through til 7am Tuesday 12 May.
Below is the schedule for overnight convoys tonight and tomorrow night, 5pm to 7am each night – effective until 7am Friday 8 May.
|
Departure window for those travelling southbound (from rest area near Awakino Historic Tunnel) |
Departure window for those travelling northbound (near Manganui Road) |
| 5:00pm – 5:30pm | 6:30pm – 7:00pm |
| 8:00pm – 8:30pm | 9:30pm – 10:00pm |
| 11:00pm – 11:30pm | 12:30am – 1:00am |
| 2:00 am – 2:30am | 3:30am – 4:00am |
| 5:00am – 5:30am | 6:30am – 7:00am |
| Road closed 7am to 5pm | |
Below is the schedule for convoys from 5pm Friday 8 May through til 7am Tuesday 12 May.
| Date | Departure window for those travelling southbound (from rest area near Awakino Historic Tunnel) | Departure window for those travelling northbound (near Manganui Road) |
| Friday 8 May | 5:00pm – 5:30pm | 6:30pm – 7:00pm |
| 8:00pm – 8:30pm | 9:30pm – 10:00pm | |
| 11:00pm – 11:30pm | 12:30am – 1:00am | |
| Saturday 9 May | 2:00am – 2:30am | 3:30am – 4:00am |
| 5:00am – 5:30am< | 6:30am – 7:00am | |
| 8:00am – 8:30am | 9:30am – 10:00am | |
| 11:00am – 11:30am | 12:30pm – 1:00pm | |
| 2:00pm – 2:30pm | 3:30pm – 4:00pm | |
| 5:00pm – 5:30pm | 6:30pm – 7:00pm | |
| 8:00pm – 8:30pm | 9:30pm – 10:00pm | |
| 11:00pm – 11:30pm | 12:30am – 1:00am | |
| Sunday 10 May | 2:00am – 2:30am | 3:30am – 4:00am |
| 5:00am – 5:30am | 6:30am – 7:00am | |
| 8:00am – 8:30am | 9:30am – 10:00am | |
| 11:00am – 11:30am | 12:30pm – 1:00pm | |
| 2:00pm – 2:30pm | 3:30pm – 4:00pm | |
| 5:00pm – 5:30pm | 6:30pm – 7:00pm | |
| 8:00pm – 8:30pm | 9:30pm – 10:00pm | |
| 11:00pm – 11:30pm | 12:30am – 1:00am | |
| Monday 11 May | 2:00 am – 2:30am | 3:30am – 4:00am |
| 5:00am – 5:30am | 6:30am – 7:00am | |
| 8:00am – 8:30am | 9:30am – 10:00am | |
| 11:00am – 11:30am | 12:30pm – 1:00pm | |
| 2:00pm – 2:30pm | 3:30pm – 4:00pm | |
| 5:00pm – 5:30pm | 6:30pm – 7:00pm | |
| 8:00pm – 8:30pm | 9:30pm – 10:00pm | |
| 11:00pm – 11:30pm | 12:30am – 1:00am | |
| Tuesday 12 May | 2:00am – 2:30am | 3:30am – 4:00am |
| 5:00am – 5:30am | 6:30am – 7:00am | |
| Road closed 7am to 5pm | ||
We will be continuing to monitor the operation of these convoys and will provide a further update on convoys on Monday 11 May.
Convoy meeting points
- Rest area near the Awakino Historic Tunnel (Piopio end, for southbound traffic heading to Mōkau)
- Near the stock yards north of Manganui Road (Awakino end, for northbound traffic heading to Piopio)
A reminder that public toilets are available at both convoy meeting points.
While crews have made the road safe for single-lane traffic, there is still considerable damage along the route, including at the main slip site and multiple underslips along the way – which remains active and vulnerable to weather.
While geotechnical assessments confirm the road is safe to access under controlled convoys, we encourage people to plan ahead for the possibility for the road to be closed at short notice – the surrounding area is extremely vulnerable and conditions can change quickly with little warning.
Rain is forecast this coming Friday and Saturday, and it may mean we have to close the road at short notice, or pause the convoys as a precaution.
This is a disruptive time and we wish the road could reopen fully sooner, but we need to take time and make sure this work is done safely. We’re really grateful for the support from the community – we don’t take that support for granted and we appreciate it.