NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) reminds road users that State Highway 1 (SH1) over the Brynderwyn Hills will be fully closed for resurfacing during two 4-day ‘super weekends’:

• Thursday 13 November (12:01am) to Sunday 16 November (11:59pm)
• Thursday 20 November (12:01am) to Sunday 23 November (11:59pm)

The road will reopen between closures from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 November.

These works mark the final stage of the Brynderwyn Hills recovery project and will return the route to 80km/h with a smooth new asphalt surface.

While SH1 over the Brynderwyn Hills will be closed, Northland will remain accessible via three scenic alternative routes. See map attached and below.

• Cove Road detour – light vehicles (trucks with trailers not permitted Mangawhai to Waipū)
• Paparoa Oakleigh Road detour – trucks and trucks with trailers up to 50MAX can use this route
• SH12 / SH14 detour – Over dimensional Heavy vehicles, High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV) should use this route.

Please plan ahead and allow extra time. Before travelling, check out the State Highway travel information on our Journey Planner website.

Journey Planner(external link)

Chipsealing works – SH1 Waipu to Uretiti

To make the most of the first super-weekend closure, our Northland maintenance team will also carry out chipsealing works on SH1 between Waipu and Uretiti. This 3km renewal, just north of Nova Scotia Drive, is one of the largest chipseal renewal sites this season. Chipsealing work is due to start at 7pm on Tuesday 11 November and will be completed by 5am Monday 17 November, weather permitting. A small section at the southern end will be swept and line marked on Monday night.

This timing has been carefully chosen to compliment the Brynderwyn Hills closure, when traffic volumes on this stretch of SH1 are expected to be much lower than usual. With nearly all freight and many regular vehicles using alternative detour routes, we will be able to complete the work quickly and minimise disruption to road users and local communities.

To further mitigate any inconvenience, this chipsealing will be carried out at night (7pm – 5am) under stop/go traffic management. Two lanes of traffic will remain open during the day, at reduced speeds, to help the new seal settle in effectively.

An important reminder - even if the road looks clear, please stick to the posted speed – it helps the new surface last longer and protects your windscreen from flying loose chips. 

Please note, we do our best to stick to planned dates for state highway maintenance work, but weather, unforeseen circumstances, or other factors may cause changes. Before heading out, check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest updates.