A stretch of State Highway 35 between Waiau Road and Anaura Road, north of Mangatuna, will be closing overnight. 

The road will be closed from 9pm today (Saturday) and will reopen at 6am tomorrow (Sunday) as the day dawns.

Heavy rain over the past 24 hours has caused some rockfall onto SH35. Crews have spent part of today clearing that rockfall, but as a precaution the road will be closed during night hours.

Tomorrow, abseiling crews will be onsite checking for any more loose rocks.

While the road will reopen at 6am, there will be some stop/go traffic management during the day as abseilers work in the area.

Please also expect the possibility of further short-notice closures if more material comes loose.

In other parts of the region, please continue to drive to the conditions and be alert for further debris or slips. Even if the rain has stopped, the ground will be sodden from heavy and persistent rain.

Crews are continuing to monitor the region’s state highways, including Waioweka Gorge, and are on standby ready to respond to issues around the region.