Roads around the area are closed, including Hewletts and Maunganui Road and the State Highway 2 flyover. 

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and take alternative routes. 

Emergency services are responding.

In 2020, Waka Kotahi reviewed speed limits on Northland’s SH10 between Awanui and Kaingaroa to make the road safer for all road users.

Since then, Waka Kotahi has worked with iwi, hapū partners and the local community to implement lower speed limits outside the Mahimaru and Kareponia marae on State Highway 10.

Mahimaru marae now has a 60km/h variable speed limit to ensure the safe entry and exit of vehicles. 

Kareponia marae also has a 60km/h variable speed limit to allow safe entry and exit of vehicles as well as a 30km/h variable speed limit area encompassing both Kareponia marae and the urupā to keep iwi safe as they walk along the State Highway during tangi.

Multi-speed variable speed limit signage will be used to achieve this.

Steve Mutton Director Regional Relationships Waka Kotahi says that this is the first time safety improvements have been developed with iwi and hapū partners, and used outside of a marae across the motu.

“We’re committed to providing safer roading environments around marae and we’re working closely with other iwi and hapū partners to develop improvements to lower speed limits and keep our communities safe.

“We’ve partnered with mana whenua to ensure that Māori cultural values and perspectives are recognised and integrated into the project. This partnership will continue throughout the project’s development and delivery” says Mr Mutton.

Waka Kotahi developed a Mana Enhancing Agreement with Kareponia marae to support Trustees with the operation of the 30km/h variable speed limit. The Agreement places the principle of mana at the centre of the relationship and enables both organisations to work in partnership to enhance the safety of the community. 

The new speed limits will come into effect from today, Monday 31 July 2023.

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Update 4pm:

Contractors have finished the traffic signal repairs at Melling Link intersection and traffic management has been removed. 

The highway is now fully open.

Update 10:50am:

Contractors are continuing to work on traffic signal repairs, and these are likely to take until late this afternoon to complete.

The right southbound turning lane is closed, and both southbound lanes are now open. One lane northbound remains closed.

Traffic delays are expected to continue at the Melling Link intersection while traffic management is in place. Driver must factor this into their travel plans and allow extra time for their journey.

Updates on the highway’s status can be found on our website and our social media channels.

• Highway Conditions – Wellington
• Twitter @WakaKotahiWgtn

8:21am:

Drivers travelling on State Highway 2 through Lower Hutt can expect delays this morning as emergency services and contractors attend a crash scene at the Melling Link intersection. 

The crash, reported earlier this morning, has closed the right hand northbound and southbound lanes of the highway. The traffic signals at the intersection were also damaged. 

Drivers must follow the instructions of emergency services and contractors and take care when travelling through the area. 

Traffic delays are expected until this afternoon for both northbound and southbound traffic while the crash scene is cleared and the damaged traffic signals repaired.