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8 July 2026, 4:35 pm

State Highway 63 has reopened 63 between Howard Valley Road and State Highway 6 Kawatiri Junction.

This means traffic heading south to Canterbury no longer needs to travel on State highway 6 to Nelson to use the inland route detour. Instead, they can use State Highway 63 and the Wairau Valley to State Highway 6 Kawatiri Junction. This will reduce travel times, but is still a longer route.

With cold weather forecast over the coming days, users of the inland detour route are warned to be ready for icy conditions on State Highway 6, State Highway 65, and State Highway 7.

While State Highway 1 will reopen north of Kaikōura from 5 pm tonight, it remains closed from south of the town.

It means the inland detour route will have increased traffic volumes until State Highway 1 is restored.

With it being a Holiday Weekend for Matariki, drivers travelling in the South Island must factor this into their travel plans and allow extra time for their journeys.

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8 July 2026, 3:35 pm

There has been a further state highway reopening in Marlborough as weather conditions in the region continue to improve.

State Highway 6/Nelson Street has reopened in Blenheim.

The only remaining road closure in the top of the South Island is on State Highway 63 between Howard Valley Road and State Highway 6 Kawatiri Junction. This has been closed due to treefalls but is expected to reopen late this afternoon or early this evening.

State Highway 1 remains closed from Ward to Waipara. Updates on its status will be provided when they are available.

Drivers heading south to Canterbury should continue to use the inland route detour via SH6 / SH65 / SH7 / SH1 and travel via Nelson – Murchison – Springs Junction – Waipara.

Drivers are asked to respect all traffic management and temporary speed limits in areas where roads are flood damaged, and also where repairs are underway.

While roads may have reopened, it is critical people drive to the conditions – particularly in areas that have been flood-affected.

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8 July 2026, 12:40 pm

Floodwaters have receded allowing the Waihenga Bridge to be reopened on State Highway 53 near Martinborough.

It means all state highways in Wellington and Wairarapa are currently open.

However, with ongoing heavy rain forecast, further disruptions on the network remain possible.

Updates will be provided as the situation changes.

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8 July 2026, 11:10 am

Official weather warnings have been upgraded for the lower North Island, meaning there is an increased risk of disruption on local state highways.

The MetService has issued an orange level Heavy Rain warning for Wairarapa, the Tararua Ranges, and Wellington’s eastern hills. It applies until 6 am tomorrow morning. A Strong Wind Watch is in place for Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast.

Road crews are responding to incidents as they occur – the wet weather does increase the risk of hazards on highways and local roads.

Drivers are urged to drive to the conditions and be aware roads may close at short notice. People should check road and weather conditions before they travel.

With severe gales forecast for Wellington, drivers of high-sided vehicles (trucks, vans, campervans), towing vehicles, and motorcycles should exercise caution in exposed areas. Treefalls, downed powerlines, and windblown debris are all potential hazards.

All road closures should be respected. They are there to keep people safe. It is also essential people do not drive through floodwaters, Currents may be stronger than they appear, and unseen dangers (e,g., washouts) may be present.

Current closures:

• State Highway 53, Waihenga Bridge near Martinborough – flooding

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8 July 2026, 9:30 am

State Highway 63 has just reopened between Renwick and Saint Arnaud after being closed overnight due to flooding. Surface flooding remains and drivers must drive with caution on the route

It remains closed between Howard Valley Road and State Highway 6 at Kawatiri Junction. Work to clear treefalls here continues and it is hoped this section of the highway will reopen late this afternoon/early this evening.

State Highway 1 remains closed between Ward and Waipara. A further update on its status will be provided later this morning.

For people travelling between Marlborough and Canterbury, the inland route remains the recommended detour via SH6 / SH65 / SH7 / SH1 and travel via Nelson – Murchison – Springs Junction – Waipara. This is a longer route and will require extra travel time.

Drivers are also reminded the inland route to Kaikōura (Route 70) remains closed due to weather damage.

Current closures:

• State Highway 63, Kawatiri Junction to Howard Road – treefalls
• State Highway 1, Ward to Waipara – flooding
• State Highway 6 Blenheim, McLauchlan Street to State Highway 1 – flooding

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8 July 2026, 6.30am

Wellington/Wairarapa

With the bad weather heading north, Wellington and Wairarapa are now being affected by heavy rain and strong winds.

Rising water levels on the Ruamahanga River closed the Waihenga Bridge on State Highway 53 near Martinborough at around 4:15 this morning.

Local roads, including detour routes, are also affected by bad weather. Both Kahutara Road and Ponatahi Road have closures in place.

The highway will remain closed until the weather improves and water levels recede and the bridge is safe to reopen.

Drivers are asked to delay their travel and avoid the area until conditions improve.

Meanwhile, the MetService has a yellow level Heavy Rain Watch in place for Wairarapa until early Thursday morning, and a Strong Wind warning for Wellington until 6 pm Thursday.

The bad weather will make driving conditions challenging and will affect peak commuting periods. The risk of weather-related hazards – slips, rockfalls, treefalls, and localised flooding – is ongoing.

Road users must take extra care on the roads, drive to the conditions, and be ready for travel delays and disruptions.

Current closures:

• State Highway 53, Waihenga Bridge near Martinborough - flooding

Updates will be provided as the situation changes. People are urged to stay up to date on the latest road and weather conditions.

Regional highway conditions(external link)

Marlborough/Tasman

All overnight state highway closures remain in place on the network. This are being reassessed this morning.

For people travelling between Marlborough and Canterbury, the inland route remains the recommended detour via SH6 / SH65 / SH7 / SH1 and travel via Nelson – Murchison – Springs Junction – Waipara. This is a longer route and will require extra travel time

Current closures:

• State Highway 63, Renwick to Saint Arnaud - flooding
• State Highway 63,  Kawatiri Junction to Howard Road – treefalls
• State Highway 1, Ward to Waipara – flooding
• State Highway 6 Blenheim, McLauchlan Street to State Highway 1 – flooding

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7 July 2026, 8.30pm

There are further closures in Marlborough this evening with heavy rain and flooding affecting State Highway 63.

There is flooding on the highway at The Narrows east of Wairau township, and also at Saltwater Creek, The Wash, and Six Mile Bridge west of Wairau township. These areas will be reassessed early tomorrow morning.

The closures are in addition to the earlier treefall closure on the highway between Kawatiri Junction and Howard Valley Road.

This means State Highway 63 is now closed along the Wairau Valley from Renwick to Saint Arnaud and between Howard Valley Road and Kawatiri Junction at State Highway 6.

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7 July 2026, 5.10pm

Marlborough/North Canterbury

State Highway 1 will remain closed overnight between Ward and Waipara. This is due to flooding from the Conway River affecting the highway near Hawkswood in North Canterbury and flooding from the Kowhai River near Kaikōura.

The inland route remains the recommended detour via SH6 / SH65 / SH7 / SH1 and travel via Nelson – Murchison – Springs Junction – Waipara. This is a longer route and will require extra travel time.

With water levels expected to remain high overnight, the State Highway 1 will remain closed before being reassessed tomorrow morning.

In Blenheim, State Highway 6 is closed between McLauchlan Street and State Highway 1, but it is expected to reopen early tonight. Local road detours remain available.

State Highway 63 is also closed between Kawatiri Junction and Howard Valley Road due to treefalls and is not expected to reopen until late tomorrow afternoon.

With heavy rain continuing to fall there remains a possibility of State Highway 6 closing between Blenheim and Nelson.

Updates will be provided if State Highway 6 closes. 

Drivers are also advised Queen Charlotte Drive (a light vehicle only detour route for SH6) is also closed

Road crews are responding to multiple incidents as they arise and doing their best to keep roads open. However, they may be stood down overnight if weather conditions become too dangerous.

Current closures:

• State Highway 63,  Kawatiri Junction to Howard Road – treefalls
• State Highway 1, Ward to Waipara – flooding
• State Highway 6 Blenheim, McLauchlan Street to State Highway 1 – flooding (due to reopen late afternoon early evening)

Driver advice

Drivers are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on road and weather conditions before they travel, and to take extra care on the roads if conditions are bad.

This includes reducing speed, avoiding sudden braking, using headlights if visibility is poor, and being prepared for weather-related hazards such as slips, treefalls, and localised flooding.

Bad weather can see roads closed at short notice, and drivers must obey all road closures in place. They are there to keep the public safe.  Ignoring them puts you and those who may have to rescue you at risk.

People are asked to avoid all non-essential travel and stay off the roads in areas where official warnings are in force.

Never drive through floodwaters. They may hide hidden dangers and currents may be deceptively strong.

Lower North Island

As the bad weather heads north, Wellington and Wairarapa are set to be hit by heavy rain tomorrow and into Thursday.

Currently, MetService has a yellow Level Heavy Rain Watch in place for Wairarapa and a Yellow Level Strong Wind watch for Wellington. These warnings may be upgraded.

Drivers in the lower North Island must be ready for challenging driving conditions and the potential for disruptions and road closures if bad weather intensifies.

With soils still saturated from recent wet weather, the risk of slips and rockfalls is higher – particularly on routes like State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill.

Heavy rain will raise water levels in river catchments in Wairarapa. This may affect the Waihenga Bridge on State Highway 53 near Martinborough. Localised flooding is also possible across Wairarapa highways and local roads.

Updates will be provided as the situation changes. People are urged to stay up to date on the latest road and weather conditions.