UPDATE: Next phase of State Highway 59 road works about to begin

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 6 May 2026 6:36pm | Wellington

UPDATE 6 May:

These works will now start on Sunday, 17 May. This is due to a reprioritisation of works across the region because of recent bad weather. 

Updated work schedule:

Sunday, 17 May (ongoing for approximately four weeks). Sunday to Thursday nights, 8 pm - 4:30 am

  • SH59 CLOSED between Paremata and Paekākāriki (near the Fisherman’s Table restaurant)
  • Traffic should detour via SH1 Transmission Gully

4 May

With drainage and safety barrier works now complete on State Highway 59 north of Pukerua Bay, work to rebuild sections of the highway will begin next month.

From Sunday, 10 May, and continuing for approximately four weeks, road crews will be rebuilding the highway just north of Pukerua Bay village.

This section of the highway needs extensive work to make it stronger, smoother, and safer for traffic. A full rebuild extends the life of the pavement and reduces the amount of ongoing maintenance and repairs needed.

The road rebuild will require the road to be excavated to a depth of around 170 millimetres. This means the road will not be suitable or safe for traffic and the highway will be closed while work is underway.

The work and the road closures will be done at night – Sunday to Thursday nights, 8 pm - 4:30 am – this is deliberately timed when traffic volumes are at their lowest and minimises traffic disruption and delays.

Both lanes of the highway will be closed to traffic between Pa Road and Paekākāriki (near the Fisherman’s Table restaurant). 

While access will be retained for affected residents and emergency services, all other traffic should detour via State Highway 1 Transmission Gully (see map below).

The rebuild will affect access to properties, and residents in the road rebuild area will not be able to use their driveways while the night works are underway. Contractors will try to complete this section of the rebuild as quickly as possible, but residents should plan to be affected for up to five nights.

These works are weather-dependent, and schedules may change at short notice. Road users are encouraged to check road conditions before they travel.

Work Schedule:

Sunday, 10 May (ongoing for approximately four weeks). Sunday to Thursday nights, 8 pm - 4:30 am

  • SH59 CLOSED between Paremata and Paekākāriki (near the Fisherman’s Table restaurant)
  • Traffic should detour via SH1 Transmission Gully

Detour maps - Wellington Transport Alliance projects page (NZTA)(external link)