UPDATE: 4.30pm, 8 May, 2026 – Slips, fallen trees adding to weather impacts
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 8 May 2026 4:46pm | West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, Southland
Reports of slips and fallen trees on state highways are adding to weather-related impacts such as flooding on the West Coast today.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has received a report this afternoon of a slip blocking a lane on State Highway 73 near Otira. Reports have also come in of trees blocking lanes on SH73 near Jacksons, State Highway 6 in the Lower Buller Gorge, SH6 between Murchison and Inangahua Junction, as well as SH6 in South Westland between Harihari and Whataroa. Contractors are being dispatched to assess and clear the roads where required.
Area warnings over surface flooding remain in place at the following locations:
- State Highway 7 between Reefton and Springs Junction (Rahu Saddle)
- State Highway 6/Lower Buller Gorge between Inangahua and the intersection with State Highway 67/Buller Road
- State Highway 6 between Makarora and Haast (including Haast Pass)
- State Highway 6 between Haast and Fox Glacier.
As darkness falls soon, road users are urged to travel with extra care in areas where flooding, slips or fallen trees may be present. People are also asked to avoid driving through floodwaters where the depth is uncertain or risks may be hidden.
12.50pm, 8 May, 2026 – Surface flooding issues spread
Surface flooding continues to be an issue for West Coast roads following heavy rain, as another area warning for road users is added by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The latest area warning put in place is for State Highway 6/Lower Buller Gorge between Inangahua and the intersection with State Highway 67/Buller Road.
The other NZTA area warnings in place are for surface flooding on:
- State Highway 7 between Reefton and Springs Junction (Rahu Saddle)
- State Highway 6 between Makarora and Haast (including Haast Pass)
People are asked to travel with extra care on these routes and to avoid travelling through floodwaters where risks may be hidden.
NZTA also reminds people that heavy rain means slippery roads and drivers should think about adjusting their speed and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible.
Stay up to date on weather warnings at MetService, and on state highway conditions and restrictions at our Journey Planner site.
11.50am, 8 May, 2026 – More surface flooding warnings
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has added another area warning for road users about surface flooding, this time for State Highway 7 between Reefton and Springs Junction (Rahu Saddle).
An area warning remains in place for State Highway 6 between Makarora in Otago and Haast on the West Coast (including Haast Pass), also because of surface flooding. The West Coast has been hit by heavy rain and multiple MetService rain and wind warnings are still in place for the wider South Island.
NZTA reminds people that heavy rain means slippery roads and drivers should think about adjusting their speed and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible. People should also avoid travelling through floodwaters where risks may be hidden.
9.20am, 8 May, 2026 – Caution urged due to surface flooding
An area warning remains in place this morning for State Highway 6 between Makarora in Otago and Haast on the West Coast (including Haast Pass), because of surface flooding.
The area warning from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) comes as MetService still has orange heavy rain warnings in place for the West Coast and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Orange strong wind warnings are also still in place for the Canterbury high country and the area around Kaikōura north to Marlborough, as severe gale force north to northwesterlies are expected to gust up to 140km/h in exposed places.
NZTA reminds people that heavy rain means slippery roads and drivers should think about adjusting their speed and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible. People should also avoid travelling through floodwaters where risks may be hidden.
Extra care is also urged when travelling in strong winds, especially those in high-sided or towing vehicles and on motorcycles.
UPDATE: 7 May, 2026 – Raised weather warnings for road users
In addition to the below, NZTA is currently advising caution for road users travelling on the stretch of State Highway 6, from Makarora to Hokitika (including Haast Pass), because of surface flooding.
An escalation in warnings about heavy rain and severe gales in the South Island has reinforced the need for road users to stay across the conditions and plan for disruption on the roading network.
There are now orange* heavy rain warnings in place for the Buller, Grey and Westland districts on the West Coast, and the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass. In the case of the Buller and Grey districts, these warnings extend through to tomorrow night (*an orange level warning means surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible).
Southland is also now subject to a heavy rain watch, where the amount of rain may approach warning criteria, from 4pm tomorrow though to 3am Saturday.
Orange strong wind warnings are now in place for tomorrow for the Canterbury high country north of the Rangitata River, and for the area around Kaikōura north to Marlborough, as severe gale force north to northwesterlies are expected to gust up to 140km/h in exposed places. This means that damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures is possible and driving may be difficult.
A strong wind watch is in place for Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound for tomorrow night.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) reminds people that heavy rain means slippery roads and drivers should think about adjusting their speed and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible. People should also avoid travelling through floodwaters where risks may be hidden.
NZTA also urges extra care when travelling in strong winds, especially those in high-sided or towing vehicles and on motorcycles.
6 May
Days of heavy rain and potentially severe north westerly gales are on the cards for much of the South Island and road users are being encouraged to prepare and factor this into any travel plans.
MetService has orange heavy rain warnings in place for the Buller and Westland districts, and Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound. This orange level of warning means that surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.
The Fiordland warning is from noon today to 9am tomorrow, Westland from 6pm today to 6pm tomorrow, and Buller from 9am tomorrow to 5pm Friday.
In addition, heavy rain watches are in place for the Grey District, the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass, and the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers, where the amount of rainfall may approach warning criteria.
Heavy rain means slippery roads and drivers should think about adjusting their speed and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible. New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) also urges road users not to try to travel through floodwaters where the risks may not be obvious.
MetService is also predicting “with moderate confidence” that severe northwest gales will impact the Canterbury high country through to Marlborough on Friday and Saturday of this week.
NZTA urges extra care when travelling in strong winds, especially those in high-sided or towing vehicles and on motorcycles.