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6.30pm – South Island connection maintained but weather risks remain

With State Highway 1 between Waipara in Canterbury, and Ward in Marlborough, being closed overnight because of severe flooding, road users will have access to a detour route, but it will take much longer and may be subject to other closures or restrictions.

The closed stretch of SH1 that includes Kaikōura has multiple areas affected by flooding from rivers in the region swollen by recent heavy rain, and other areas of surface flooding.

People are encouraged to consider delaying their travel until after the weather system has passed through and for roading crews to reassess the affected SH1 route in daylight tomorrow morning. For those that do need to travel, northbound traffic on SH1 at Waipara can follow State Highway 7 to Springs Junction, then onto State Highway 65 and State Highway 6 through Nelson, onto State Highway 62 near Blenheim and then turning back on SH1 at Spring Creek. The reverse applies for southbound traffic.

The risk of more heavy rain in inland Canterbury and Marlborough means that the detour route outlined above could also potentially be subject to road closures or delays because of flooding or slips. Those travelling should prepare for this possibility.

Elsewhere around the South Island, especially inlands areas, people are urged to be wary of the risk of snow and ice that may disrupt their travel or make driving difficult in the days ahead.   

An update will be provided tomorrow morning on the status of the state highways.

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2pm – Snow to linger for parts of central South Island

While heavy rain and flooding are the biggest source of transport disruption today, snow is also forecast to continue to pose challenges in parts of the South Island.

Among its road snowfall warnings, MetService is forecasting State Highway 73 at Porters Pass in Canterbury will get accumulations of 5-8 cm of snow near the summit from 6pm tomorrow. At Arthur’s Pass on SH73, about 1-2cm is expected at the summit.

In Otago, snow showers are forecast to leave up to 3cm of snow on the ground from tomorrow morning on State Highway 8/Lindis Pass, the Crown Range Road and State Highway 94/Milford Road.

Whether travelling in the central South Island for school holidays or other reasons, people are urged to plan ahead and be prepared for travel disruption.

Keep an eye on MetService weather warnings here, and latest highway conditions and any closures/restrictions at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.

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12pm – SH1 closure extended and expected overnight

Escalating flood conditions means that the closure of State Highway 1 in North Canterbury has been extended to between Waipara in Canterbury, and Ward in Marlborough, and this closure is now expected to remain in place overnight.

In addition to flooding from the Conway River affecting several kilometres of SH1 near Hawkswood, in an area known locally as ‘Siberia’, a state of emergency has now been declared for the Kaikōura district after the Kowhai River also breached its banks.

With the likelihood of extensive flooding continuing through today both north and south of Kaikōura, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has made a call that the SH1 closure will remain overnight, to be reassessed in daylight tomorrow.

NZTA appreciates the level of disruption this closure of the South Island’s main transport route means, but the scale of the flooding means it is unavoidable. The route, or parts of it, will reopen when it is safe for road users. A detour is available inland via State Highways 7, 65 and 6, but this will add significantly to travel times.

MetService’s red heavy rain warning for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer Springs and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikoura Range, remains in place until 6am tomorrow.

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10.30am – SH8 reopens in Mackenzie Basin

Following a prior closure because of snow, State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Lake Pukaki in the Mackenzie Basin is now open. Road users are advised to take extra care when travelling along this route. A further image below of SH1 flooding in North Canterbury.

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10.15am – Widespread flooding for Canterbury roads

In addition to the State Highway 1 closure between Cheviot and Kaikōura, flooding is affecting numerous roads around Canterbury this morning.

Road users are asked to respect legally enforced road closures and restrictions as heavy rain continues to hit the region, and to adjust their driving accordingly where there is signage advising of surface flooding or slips.

People are urged to avoid driving through floodwaters where the depth is unclear and there may be hidden obstructions. In heavy rain, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi also reminds people to think about adjusting their speeds and travelling distances, avoiding sudden braking, and staying visible (using headlights in daytime hours).

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8:50am – Impact on SH1 and the route between Picton and Christchurch

With SH63 still closed between Kawatiri Junction and Howard Valley Rd due to treefalls, people travelling between Picton and Christchurch will have to use the inland route via SH6 / SH65 / SH7 /SH1 and travel via Nelson – Murchison – Springs Junction – Waipara. This is a longer route and will require extra travel time.

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8.30am – SH1 closure in North Canterbury amid flooding

State Highway 1 between Cheviot and Kaikōura in North Canterbury has been closed due to concerns about the impact on the highway of rising river levels (see images below).

The issue is where the Conway River is flooding onto SH1 in an area known locally as ‘Siberia’. Because Inland Route 70/Inland Kaikoura Road is also closed, road users are encouraged to consider using other inland routes such as State Highway 7, or to delay their travel. People should prepare for a closure throughout the day.

A rare MetService red heavy rain warning is in place for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer Springs and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikoura Range. This red level of warning carries the risk of a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, slips and impassable roads.

Further updates will be provided as the situation changes. Stay up to date with state highway closures/restrictions at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.

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9:22am – SH1 Seven Mile Road and SH83 Pukeuri - now open

State Highway 1, between Seven Mile Road and Pukeuri, North Otago, is now OPEN, as is SH83 Pukeuri to Georgetown, after flooding closures; though temporary speed limit restrictions are in place on both routes.

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7.15am – Weather-related closures remain as more impacts to come

State Highway closures remain in place this morning in the central and lower South Island from the current weather event, as further disruption is expected today.

The following closures are in place:

• State Highway 6 Whataroa to Harihari, West Coast, because of strong winds
• State Highway 6, Haast to Fox Glacier, West Coast, because of fallen trees
• State Highway 8, Fairlie to Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Basin, because of snow and ice
• State Highway 1, between Seven Mile Road and Pukeuri, North Otago, because of flooding. A detour is in place for this closure: southbound traffic should turn right on to Seven Mile Road, then left on to State Highway 83, then right back on to SH1. The reverse applies for northbound traffic.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) also has multiple road area warnings in place around the central and lower south because of the prevailing winter driving conditions, and road users are being urged to travel with extra care and to drive to the conditions.

MetService is forecasting heavy rain and snow today through inland Canterbury to the top of the South Island. A rare red heavy rain warning is in place for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer Springs and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikoura Range. This red level of warning carries the risk of a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding, slips and impassable roads.

Further highway closures may be required today if the weather impacts make it unsafe.

Because of the heavy rainfall and melting snow, there is also a risk of ice build-up in parts of the South Island over the coming days that people should be wary of. Roading crews will be laying grit and anti-ice agents on the highways to assist vehicle traction.

Strong winds remain a threat on the West Coast south of Westport, especially for high-sided vehicles, towing vehicles and motorcycles.

People are encouraged to plan their travel carefully, especially on inland state highways, and to be prepared for closures or disruptions. Keep an eye on MetService weather warnings here, and latest highway conditions and any closures/restrictions at NZTA’s Journey Planner site.