UPDATE: Work continues to clear northern Taranaki state highways
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 16 Oct 2025 3:00pm | Taranaki
Crews are continuing to work to restore access as safely and efficiently as possible through northern Taranaki, following heavy rainfall, flooding and slips.
State Highway 3 in northern Taranaki (north of New Plymouth) will be opening tomorrow afternoon earlier than expected. At this stage, we anticipate it opening from 3pm (Friday).
State Highway 4 and State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway will remain closed until 8pm tomorrow (Friday night). Access between Stratford and Whangamōmona on SH43 remains open.
In Waikato
- SH31 remains closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
Please be aware that when SH3 opens tomorrow afternoon, there will be stop/go traffic control in many places, and a reduced speed limit.
“It’s really important to us that this critical part of the network is opened as quickly as possible, only when it’s safe to do so,” says Liesl Dawson, System Manager for Taranaki and Manawatū-Whanganui.
“People need to adhere to the lower speeds, and to the traffic management in place. Crews will be continuing to work on clearing sites and people can expect extensive delays of more than half an hour.
“The damage cause throughout SH3 means crews will be on the road for some time to come, and will become a familiar sight to motorists.”
10am
A number of state highways in northern Taranaki will remain closed today as crews continue to assess damage from heavy rain, flooding and slips.
The following state highways will remain closed until 8pm tomorrow (Friday night):
State Highway 3 remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
- SH30 from Te Kuiti and Benneydale is now OPEN.
- SH31 is currently closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
Crews have started the cleanup now water levels have receded. Excavators and trucks are being used in the cleanup.
“There is a lot of widespread damage, multiple slips and debris to clear which is why the roads will remain closed today. We know this is frustrating and we’re working as quickly as we can to restore access. We appreciate people’s understanding and support,” says Liesl Dawson, System Manager for Taranaki and Manawatū-Whanganui.
Wednesday 5.30pm
State Highways in northern Taranaki will remain closed until 8pm Friday following heavy rainfall yesterday.
While rainfall in the area has stopped, the ground is still thoroughly sodden, with new slips opening up, flooding in places and debris including fallen trees.
“Our first priority is the safety of road users and our crews. The roads are still unsafe and need to be properly assessed once water levels have receded,” says Liesl Dawson, System Manager for Taranaki and Manawatū-Whanganui.
“Please adhere to traffic management in place and cordons in place – it’s really important people don’t try to drive through the cordons and through floodwaters. We know the closures are frustrating, but the safety of all road users and our crews is of paramount importance.
“It’s likely the roads will remain closed tomorrow but further assessments will be made. We are working as safely and efficiently as possible to get these roads open by the weekend.”
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
- SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale. It will open later this evening.
- SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau, and will remain closed overnight.
Crews are continuing to assess the damage across the network and Geotech assessments will be carried out during the day.
10am:
State Highways in northern Taranaki and Waikato will remain closed today, following heavy rainfall yesterday.
While rainfall in the area has stopped, river levels are continuing to rise, and flooding, slips, debris and sodden ground means the roads remain unsafe for road users.
“Please adhere to traffic management in place and cordons in place – it’s really important people don’t try to drive through the cordons and through floodwaters. We know the closures are frustrating, but the safety of all road users and our crews is of paramount importance,” says Liesl Dawson, System Manager for Taranaki and Manawatū-Whanganui.
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale.
SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
Crews are continuing to assess the damage across the network and Geotech assessments will be carried out during the day.
Our next planned update will be later this afternoon. In the meantime, please keep up to date with NZTA’s Journey Planner.
6.45am:
Crews will this morning be reassessing states highways currently closed following yesterday’s heavy rainfall.
The rainfall is clearing however multiple slips, debris and flooding kept the roads closed overnight.
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale.
SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is advising people travelling between Taranaki and Waikato to delay travel, while crews wait for floodwaters in some areas to recede and assessments to be made.
Please continue to drive to conditions and be alert to possible other flooding, heavy rainfall and other slips.
Please keep up to date with the NZTA Journey Planner.
4pm: State Highways around Taranaki and Waikato remain closed
A number of state highway closures around Taranaki and Waikato will remain closed overnight following multiple slips today as a result of heavy rainfall in the northern part of Taranaki.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is continuing to advise people to delay travel through Taranaki as heavy rain continues to cause flooding, slips and road closures ,which will remain in place until tomorrow morning, when the situation is reassessed.
Crews will reassess the roads once water levels have receded.
If people do need to travel around other parts of the region, please drive to conditions and be alert to possible other flooding, heavy rainfall and other slips.
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale.
SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
Please keep up to date with the NZTA Journey Planner.
1pm:
A number of state highway closures around Taranaki remain in place as heavy rain continues to fall in the northern part of the region.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is continuing advising people to delay travel through Taranaki as heavy rain continues to cause flooding, slips and road closures expected to be in place until Thursday, 16 October.
If people do need to travel around other parts of the region, please drive to conditions and be alert to possible other flooding, heavy rainfall and other slips.
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato:
SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale
SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau
Crews working on SH3 north of New Plymouth were able to remove enough debris earlier this morning to create temporary access for vehicles in between the slips at Awakino Gorge to safely drive themselves out of the area.
Our next planned update will be later this afternoon. In the meantime, please keep up to date with the NZTA Journey Planner.
10am:
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is advising people to delay travel through Taranaki as heavy rain continues to cause flooding, slips and road closures.
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth is closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 is closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway is closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato:
SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale.
SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
There are multiple slips throughout all these state highways and crews are currently working to clear access on SH3 for motorists currently between slips.
NZTA is strongly advising people to avoid travel through the area.
Please continue to drive to the conditions throughout the region, and be alert for the possibility of more slips and more rain. Please take your time and be careful on the roads.
7:45am: SH3 at Awakino closed following heavy rain and slips
Heavy rainfall overnight and slips have closed a stretch of State Highway 3 at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio.
Crews are onsite and working to clear the road as safely and efficiently as possible.
The immediate priority is clearing access for motorists currently between slips.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is strongly advising people to avoid travel through the area.
Additional crews are working along SH3 between Tongapōrutu and Piopio clearing slips and repairing damage caused by the wet weather. Please keep an eye out for our crews.
Please continue to drive to the conditions throughout the region, and be alert for the possibility of more slips and more rain. Please take your time and be careful on the roads.