UPDATE: SH6 Rocks Road closure
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 6 Jul 2025 10:30pm | Nelson and Marlborough
Sunday - 10:30pm:
State Highway 6 Rocks Road in Nelson will open at 11:30 pm tonight (Sunday).
The route will be open to traffic in both directions and, as a safety precaution, water filled safety barriers, and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit will be in place at the slip site.
Over the weekend, specialist abseilers removed a failing concrete crib wall, loose plants, and material from the face of the cliff above the highway. This debris posed a substantial risk to the road and the safety of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) staff also provided targeted sluicing to remove loose material from the cliff and road surface.
FENZ staff sluicing debris at SH6 Rocks Road slip site
Their efforts saved approximately one day of work for contractors, and NZTA/Waka Kotahi wants to thank FENZ staff for their support.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi also thanks the public, affected residents, and drivers for their patience and understanding while contractors worked hard to reopen the road.
Saturday - 4:10pm:
State Highway 6 Rocks Road remains closed and will be closed tomorrow (Sunday, 6 July).
The highway is CLOSED in both directions between Russell Street and Bisley Avenue to all road users. This includes pedestrians and cyclists.
The recommended detour for all traffic (including heavy vehicles) is via Waimea Road and Whakatu Drive.
People wanting to access restaurants on Wakefield Quay can enter via Haven Road.
A specialist abseiling team is on-site removing dangerous material from the top of the cliff. The material is failing and falling onto the road below.
The work is slow and laborious but must be completed to ensure all road users – drivers, pedestrians, and drivers - are kept safe. Work to remove the material continues tomorrow.
The road will remain closed until it is safe to reopen. NZTA/Waka Kotahi will provide another update tomorrow, as the work progresses.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi understands the road closure is significant and affects people travelling in and out of Nelson. Congestion and travel delays can be expected while the road closure remains in place.
Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions before they travel.
Highway conditions – Nelson/Marlborough
Friday - 4:45pm:
Rocks Road remains closed and will be closed into Saturday. State Highway 6 Rocks Road is still CLOSED in both directions between Russell Street and Bisley Avenue for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The recommended detour for all traffic (including heavy vehicles) is via Waimea Road and Whakatu Drive.
Commencing early tomorrow, Saturday 5 July, unstable sections at the top of cliff are being removed by a specialist abseiling team.
The road needs to remain closed until it is safe to reopen. NZTA will provide another update tomorrow, as works progresses.
NZTA understand the road closure is significant and impacts people travelling in and out of Nelson, with congestion expected.
Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions before they travel.
Friday - 12:45pm:
A slip occurred on State Highway 6 Rocks Road, Nelson at approximately 8am today (Friday 4 July). State Highway 6 Rocks Road is still CLOSED in both directions between between Russell Street and Bisley Avenue for ll road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The recommended detour for all traffic (including heavy vehicles) is via Waimea Road and Whakatu Drive.
NZTA and contractors are working hard to manage investigations to rectify the cause at the top of the cliff face that is unstable due to heavy rainfall. This work is difficult and complicated, but we are working to re-open the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
NZTA and our contractors are working hard to manage investigations to rectify the cause at the top of the cliff face that is unstable due to heavy rainfall. This work is difficult and complicated, but we are working to re-open the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
NZTA will provide an update when the road re-opens.
Friday 4 July - 9am:
State Highway 6 Rocks Road between Russell Street and Bisley Avenue is CLOSED due to a slip.
The closure applies to all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. The recommended detour for all traffic (including heavy vehicles) is via Waimea Road and Whakatu Drive.
Contractors are onsite clearing the slip.
NZTA will provide an update when the road re-opens.
NZTA understand the road closure is significant and impacts commuter traffic into and out of Nelson, with congestion expected.
Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions before they travel and delay their travel to avoid expected peak times.