UPDATE: 2.50pm – SH6 reopened to single lane after slip

A section of State Highway 6 between Lower Buller Gorge and Punakaiki has reopened after a slip.

A single lane is now available at the slip site at Meybille Bay. Road users are advised to take extra care through the area.

Road users should also be aware that rock scaling work is planned in the area for tomorrow, from 8am to 4pm. People should expect 30-minute delays due to this work.

Stay up to date on the status of the state highways at our Journey Planner site.

Journey Planner(external link)

7.45pm – SH6 on West Coast closed because of slip

State Highway 6 between Lower Buller Gorge and Punakaiki remains closed this morning because of a significant slip blocking the road.

It is one of a series of slips around the South Island following the wild weather that passed through over the weekend. 

Road users are being asked to use an alternate route. A detour is available via SH6 from Lower Buller Gorge onto State Highway 69, continuing onto State Highway 7 from Reefton, then returning onto SH6 in Greymouth. Reverse for northbound. These detours will add approximately 90 minutes to your journey time.

Crews will be working to clear the SH6 slip and an update will be provided when the road status changes.