State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway will be opening from 4pm today.

Crews have been working throughout the weekend to clear slip material and debris and repair other damage to the road, to safely restore access as quickly as possible.

From 4pm the road will be open from Stratford right through to Taumarunui.

The safety of all road users is our top priority and crews will be onsite and will continue to closely monitor it to ensure it remains safe for travel.

The road will be reduced to one lane in places, between Taumarunui and Tāngarākau Gorge, with temporarily reduced speed limits in place. 

Drivers will notice crews along the way still working and the drive will be slow going. Please expect delays and drive safely and to the conditions.

SH3 through Awakino Gorge remains open under stop/go traffic management (see yesterday's update below).

It is crucial to drive with care through the region and follow temporary traffic management throughout the Taranaki region.

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26 July, 12.58pm - SH3 Awakino Gorge opening tonight under stop/go traffic management

State Highway 3 through Awakino Gorge will be opening from 6pm today.

Crews have been working since yesterday morning to clear at least 500 cubic metres of slip material off the road.

A Geotech onsite assessment has been carried out to ensure the road can safely be reopened.

Only one lane will be operational and stop/go traffic management will be in place through this stretch of SH3. 

The safety of all road users is our top priority and crews will be onsite and will continue to closely monitor it to ensure it remains safe for travel.

On State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway, crews are continuing to clear slips and repair damage to the road. The road remains closed between Taumarunui and Whangamōmona until at least 1pm on Monday, 27 July. 

SH43 between Stratford and Whangamōmona remains open – please drive with caution.

It is crucial to drive with care through the region and follow temporary traffic management thoughout the Taranaki region. 

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25 July, 3.17pm - SH3 Awakino Gorge; SH43 Forgotten World Highway to remain closed

Crews are currently working to clear around 500 cubic metres of slip material on State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge.

The gorge, between Mokau and Piopio, will remain closed overnight and tomorrow.

At this stage, crews expect to be able to open the road to one lane from 6pm tomorrow (Sunday), as long as there isn’t further rain and more slips. We will provide a further update tomorrow confirming the opening time.

Today’s slip is north of the significant slip that crews have been working on since April.

State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway between Whangamōmona and Taumarunui remains closed. 

There are multiple slips, mud slides and debris. This stretch of road will remain closed tomorrow and into Monday while damage is assessed and the road cleared. We will have an update on SH43 on Monday around early afternoon.

SH43 remains open between Stratford and Whangamōmona, as does SH4 between Whanganui and Raetihi.

On both stretches of highway, please continue to drive carefully, to the conditions and expect the possibility of slips and debris.

Crews are continuing to monitor the state highway network around the region and are on standby to assess any further damage.

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25 July, 8.45am - Drive with care throughout central North Island

State Highway 43 is now closed between Whangamōmona and Taumarunui.

Heavy rainfall overnight, combined with the earthquake near Taumarunui, has caused several slips on the Forgotten World Highway.

As of 8.30am:

SH3 closed between Mokau and Piopio 

SH43 closed between Whangamōmona and Taumarunui

SH43 remains open between Stratford and Whangamōmona; as does SH4.

While SH4 and part of SH43 remain open, please drive to the conditions.

Geotech crews will be out at the slip sites this morning, assessing the roads. Please avoid the area and delay your travel.

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25 July, 7.48am - SH3 through Awakino Gorge remains closed; drive with care in the area

An onsite Geotech assessment will take place at Awakino Gorge later this morning.

A stretch of State Highway 3 between Mokau and Piopio is currently closed following a slip overnight.

Crews will be out at site this morning, assessing the slip. Please avoid the area and delay your travel.

State Highways 4 and 43 remain alternatives, however please drive to the conditions following the earthquake near Taumarunui overnight in addition to rain in those areas.

Be alert to the possibility of slips and debris on both SH4 and SH43.

Please take care.

We will provide a further update later this morning.

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25 July, 5.44am - SH3 through Awakino Gorge closed

A stretch of State Highway 3 through Awakino Gorge has closed this morning, due to a slip.

The area saw heavy rainfall late yesterday.

The road is currently closed between Mokau and Piopio.

Crews will be out at site today, assessing the slip. Please avoid the area and delay your travel.

We will provide a further update later this morning. In the meantime, keep up to date with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.