State Highway 65 has reopened to traffic this morning following bad weather and flooding in the area yesterday.

On State Highway 6, at Dellows Bluff, the highway is down to one lane due to a slip – delays  can be expected in this area.

Drivers travelling in the South Island need to be aware State Highway 7 is also closed  between the Hanmer Springs turnoff and Springs Junction due to flooding.

Meanwhile, State Highway 1 has reopened between Kaikoura and Blenheim following its closure yesterday and overnight. 

While the weather has improved, road users are asked to drive with care on South Island highways  as work continues to repair damage caused by yesterday’s bad weather.

The Metservice  has issued further Weather  Alerts for Thursday, with a Strong Wind Warning issued for  Marlborough and Canterbury. Severe gale northwesterlies, with gusts of up to 130 km/h, are forecast for both regions.

Drivers are urged to keep an eye on weather and road conditions before they travel as bad weather can see  roads closed at short notice.

21 October, 3:40pm

Bad weather and flooding has closed State Highway 65 to all traffic this afternoon.

The highway is closed until further notice and there is no link between Murchison and Springs Junction.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area and delay their travel.

They should also be aware of other  weather-related state highway closures on the upper West Coast and the inland route to Canterbury

• SH69/SH6 Inangahua, at the Inangahua River Bridge - CLOSED due to flooding.
• SH7 Springs Junction to Hanmer Springs – CLOSED due to flooding.
• SH7 Dobson to Ngahere - CLOSED due to flooding.

Currently there is no direct access from Murchison to Canterbury via the inland route – SH6/SH65/SH7.

While the bad weather continues it is essential people drive to the conditions and be prepared for weather-related hazards. They should also check road and weather conditions before they travel as roads can close at short notice.

Updates on the highway’s status will be provided as the situation changes. More information can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website.