Several State Highways around the country are set to close tonight ahead of severe weather forecast for parts of the North and South Island, with officials urging road users to only travel if they feel safe enough to do so.
Weather warnings remained in place around the country as a trough embedded in a humid northerly air flow brought heavy rain, strong winds and flooding risks to begin the meteorological winter.
Parts of Northland and the upper South Island had already experienced heavy rainfall. Tasman's Golden Bay had recorded close to 300mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am Monday, with more rain still expected.
NZTA Waka Kotahi State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson would be closed from 6pm Monday, cutting off access between the two areas.
Mark Owen, NZTA regional manager for Lower North Island / top of the South, said the call had been made after MetService forecast peak heavy rain for the region Monday evening, with flooding expected to affect SH6 near Canvastown.
"With this in mind, we have decided to close the highway between Dalton’s Bridge (Canvastown) and Pelorus Bridge from 6pm tonight," he said.
Owen said the route would only reopen when it was safe to do so.
“This is first and foremost about keeping people safe. Flooded roads after dark are a significant danger. It is essential drivers respect the road closure and do not breach it,” he said.
Further south, SH6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea in Central Otago was closed Monday afternoon after a slip blocked both lanes.
NZTA said the slip occurred near the Flaxmill Creek Bridge. Road users were advised to delay their journeys or use an alternative route if possible.
State Highway 2 Waioweka Gorge between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne was also set to close from 6pm Monday, NZTA said, due to the route being "especially vulnerable" in bad weather.
"With an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for this evening, NZTA has made the decision to proactively close State Highway 2 (SH2) Waioweka Gorge from 6pm tonight, Monday 1 June, until further notice," NZTA said.
The Ōpōtiki closure point would be Waioeka Pa Rd, and the second closure point (Gisborne side) would be at Opato.
"The road will be reassessed as soon as possible in the morning, depending on the conditions and whether clearance work is needed before considering reopening."
The key route between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne closed earlier this year after heavy rain triggered dozens of slips.
'Drive to the conditions' - minister
Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell urged road users to travel with care and stay up to date with the current forecast.
“With the weather over the long weekend, check and see what the weather forecast is and what the conditions are," Mitchell told 1News.
He said all Kiwis taking to the roads should drive to the conditions and stay alert.
"If you don’t feel confident driving in a lot of wet weather and wind, then stay home and wait until it is safe.”
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