State Highway 6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Central Otago has reopened after the clearing of a slip.

Road users are asked to take care on this route, and others in South Westland, the West Coast and the upper South Island because of the ongoing impacts of heavy rain, including flooding and slips.     

5pm – SH6 section requiring care but not closed:

State Highway 6 from Makarora to Haast is OPEN, contrary to the previous update.

Following an assessment by contractors, it has been deemed this section of road does not require a closure, but road users are advised to travel with care on this route.

The SH6 closure between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Central Otago remains in place, but progress is being made in clearing this site and an update is expected soon.

Surface flooding is being reported on various parts of SH6 on the West Coast. 

4.15pm – Further closure on SH6:

A closure on State Highway 6 has been extended through to the West Coast due to flooding and slips.

SH6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Central Otago was closed earlier this afternoon because of a slip across both lanes, and now a closure is also in place for Makarora to Haast because of flooding and slips on this section of road.

Road users are encouraged to delay their travel or take alternatives routes, and there is also a warning about surface flooding on other sections of SH6 on the West Coast that are open.

Heavy rain has been falling across the South Island and MetService orange heavy rain warnings remain in place for Westland south of Hokitika and the Ranges of Buller through to late this evening. These orange warnings indicate that the amount of rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, with potential for surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions.

2.50pm – Slip closes SH6 in Central Otago:

State Highway 6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Central Otago is closed this afternoon because of a slip covering both lanes.

The slip occurred near the Flaxmill Creek Bridge, and crews are on their way to deal with it. Road users are advised to delay their journeys or use an alternative route.

An update will be provided as the road status changes.

Last week the Government announced about $40m in the Budget to improve the resilience of this SH6 route between Haast on the West Coast and Hāwea, due to its vulnerability to closures. Improvements would be across high-risk sites vulnerable to landslides, rockfall, river erosion, debris flows and road dropouts.