With strong winds forecast to strengthen tonight, drivers in the lower North Island are being warned that State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill may close tonight.

For safety reasons, the route is closed when wind gusts exceed 140 km/h. The route is exposed, and gale-force winds can pose an extreme risk to road users.

Updated forecasts indicate wind speeds on exposed areas of Remutaka Hill may exceed 140 km/h between 2 am and 11 am tomorrow morning (Tuesday, 27 October).

Wind warnings are already in place for the route, with MetService weather data showing wind speeds of around 80 km/h at the Remutaka Hill summit.

The strong winds and high tide around 11 pm may also affect State Highway 58 between Pāuatahanui and Paremata late tonight. There is potential for high waves and sea surge debris causing disruption on the route. 

MetService has Orange Strong Wind Warnings in place for both Wellington and Wairarapa from late tonight until late tomorrow morning. High winds are currently affecting highways across the region.

Drivers must take care and drive to the conditions, particularly on exposed routes. This is especially important for drivers of high-sided vehicles (trucks, vans, campervans, and towing vehicles) and for motorcyclists.

Because bad weather increases the likelihood of road closures, drivers are urged to check road and weather conditions before travelling.

25 October 2026

Labour Weekend is set to end with bad weather for holiday drivers.

Official weather watches and warnings are in force for the Lower North and Upper South Island with the bad weather scheduled to strike late on Labour Day (Monday, 26 October).

Lower North Island

An orange level Strong Wind Warning has been issued for Wellington from 6 pm Monday to 10 am Tuesday. Gale force northwesterlies up to 120 km/h can be expected in exposed places. A Strong Wind Watch will apply in Wairarapa and a Heavy Rain Watch for the Tararua Ranges.

The weather will affect end of holiday traffic and the early Tuesday morning commuting period.

Strong winds increase the risk of wind-blown debris, tree falls, and downed power lines. Drivers must be alert to these hazards and take additional care on exposed routes - such as State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill and the Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully.

High winds also pose additional danger to drivers of trucks, vans, campervans, and motorcycles. These road users must be prepared for challenging driving conditions and plan their travel accordingly.

Top of the South Island

A Strong Wind Watch has been issued for Marlborough from 5 pm Monday until 7 am Tuesday morning.

This will affect drivers traveling on these routes:

• SH1 Picton to Kaikōura
• SH6 Blenheim to Hira
• SH62 Spring Creek to SH6 junction
• SH63 Renwick to Saint Arnaud

Drivers traveling these routes are urged to drive to the conditions, take extra care, and allow extra time for their journeys.

Bad weather is forecast and official weather warnings have also been issued for other parts of the South Island on Labour Day. This includes the West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.

People travelling to and from these regions are strongly encouraged to check road and weather conditions before they travel. Bad weather can cause roads to be closed at short notice.

The NZTA Holiday Journey Planner can also be used to plan ahead to avoid peak travel times.

Holiday journeys