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Update: Lower North Island – severe weather information

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 23 Oct 2025 6:20pm | Wellington

6:20 pm

State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill is now OPEN to all traffic. Contractors have worked hard to clear a number of rockfalls and small slips from the route ahead of its reopening.

While the weather  has improved, and winds have eased, drivers are encouraged to take care on this route.

State Highway 2, Mount Bruce to Eketahuna, has also reopened after being closed due to strong winds and fallen trees.

All state highways in the lower North Island are now open.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks the public for their patience and co-operation during today’s weather event and associated state highway closures.

4 pm

State Highway 58 has reopened in Whitby following its weather closure earlier today.

State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill remains closed due to high winds and its status is being monitored. The route will be reopened when it is  safe to do so.

In northern Wairarapa, State Highway 2  is now CLOSED between Mount Bruce and Eketahuna due to strong winds. It will remain closed until it is safe to reopen.

Current closures:

  • SH2 Remutaka Hill – strong winds.
  • SH2 Mt Bruce to Eketahuna – strong winds.

11:40 am

Bad weather continues to affect the state highway network in the lower North Island.

State Highway 58 is now CLOSED in Whitby, between Postgate Drive and James Cook Drive due to flooding.

This is due to strong winds driving waves and debris across the highway from Porirua Harbour.

Drivers should avoid the area, use alternative routes on local roads, and allow for extra travel time.

Current closures:

  • SH58 Whitby – flooding
  • SH2 Remutaka Hill – strong winds

11:20 am

State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill is now CLOSED to all traffic due to the ongoing severe weather conditions and strong winds affecting the Wellington and Wairarapa region.

Metservice weather data  is recording wind gusts of around 140 km/h near the summit.

To ensure public safety, State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill is closed between Kaitoke and Featherston.

It will be reopened when it is safe to do so, but this will depend on wind and weather conditions improving.

Meanwhile, severe weather conditions continue to affect the Wellington and Wairarapa regions, and a red-level Metservice weather warning remains in place.

Drivers must avoid non-essential travel and, if on the roads, ensure they drive to the conditions and be prepared for weather hazards such as windblown debris, fallen trees, and downed powerlines

Drivers of high-sided vehicles (trucks, vans, campervans), motorcycles, towing vehicles, and light vehicles must exercise extreme caution. This particularly applies on exposed routes, like Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully.

Bad weather can see roads closed at short notice. Drivers are urged to stay up to date on the latest road and weather information.

More information