Repair work underway on storm-damaged Taranaki state highways
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 8 Jul 2025 4:41pm | Taranaki
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) contractors are hard at work across the Taranaki region to repair damage from recent heavy rainfall and slips. Please continue to keep an eye out for our crews, expect delays, and drive with extreme caution.
SH43 between Whangamomona and Taumarunui to open this evening
SH43 between Whangamomona and Taumarunui is scheduled to re-open this evening at approximately 5pm.
For the remainder of the week there will be multiple sites under stop/go traffic controls while crews continue to complete repairs after it was damaged by last week’s heavy rainfall.
SH3 between Mokau and Piopio OPEN
SH3 between Mokau and Piopio is now open, however multiple crews will continue to complete repairs over the coming week.
Multiple sites are under stop/go traffic controls. Expect delays of approximately 40-60 minutes in total.
Rockslide at SH3 between Piopio and Mahoenui
A section of SH3 between Piopio and Mahoenui is down to 1 lane after a large rockslide blocked the road over the weekend. The site will remain under stop/go traffic controls for the remainder of the week while specialist crews complete scaling of the rockface and geotechnical assessment of the surrounding area.
Culvert replacements at SH3 Awakino Gorge
Crews are replacing three culverts on SH3 in the Awakino Gorge, south of Awakau Road, where a mudslide damaged the road after heavy rainfall in June.
- Work commenced on 2 July and is expected to take 2-3 weeks in total to complete, weather permitting.
- The three culverts are being repaired at the same time using multiple crews to complete the work as quickly as possible.
- All work will take place under one set of stop/go traffic controls, which will be in place 24/7.
Underslip at SH3 Mt Messenger
SH3 Mt Messenger is open under stop/go traffic controls after an underslip damaged the southbound lane. NZTA is completing a geotechnical assessment to determine a long-term solution.
SH3 Waitotara - Bridge Maintenance: 8-11 July
Crews will also complete bridge assessment and maintenance works at SH3 Waitotara at the Waitotara River Bridge from Tuesday 8 July for approximate 3-4 days, weather permitting. The site will be managed under stop/go traffic controls with delays of approximately 5-10 minutes.
More wet weather is expected later this week. We will be on standby to respond to any further issues.
Road users can also keep up to date with the NZTA Journey Planner.