“Given the severity of the colder daytime and overnight temperatures, we know ice will pose an ongoing issue across the network,” says Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA Central South Island.

“While our snow clearance teams will be doing all they can, road closures will likely still occur, especially overnight and into mid-morning.”

Mr Pinner encouraged road users to treat traffic management teams kindly. A police officer was called to the Twizel closure point today to ensure traffic managers were not harassed for doing their jobs. “We choose the closure points for road users’ comfort to ensure people have nearby toilets and somewhere to get a warm drink or food. Please treat our crews and traffic managers as you would any person doing their job in freezing conditions to the best of their ability.”

South Canterbury – overnight closure SH8

• All highways in South Canterbury have now reopened.
• Fairlie to Tekapo, SH8, (Burkes Pass) reopened around 1 pm after many hours of snow clearance by crews as snow continued to fall today. It will close at 8 pm tonight given the likelihood of more snow and ice overnight and in the morning, says Mr Pinner.
• SH80 the Mt Cook/Aoraki highway is open but care is needed. It is helpfully catching sunshine this afternoon.
• SH8 between Tekapo and Twizel may need to close overnight but is being closely monitored this afternoon as the sunshine helpfully dries out the road surface. Open currently. The 50km/hour or 70km/h recently installed temporary speed limits between Simons Pass, south of Tekapo, and Twizel could be reintroduced this week given ice forecasts.

Snow did not stop these sheep from moving along SH79 in Fairlie today, doing their bit to defrost the highway, with the Allandale Bridge in the background – (Photo courtesy Erin McDiarmid)

West Coast-Canterbury

• Restrictions on road users over Porters Pass, between Springfield and Castle Hill, SH73, were lifted around lunchtime today.
• The short section of SH6 in South Westland which had power lines on the road was reopened then also.
• Although the gale force wind warning has now been lifted by MetService, there are still strong winds affecting driving conditions along SH6 and other West Coast highways.  Care is required by high sided and towing vehicle drivers and motorcyclists.

MetService weather warnings/watches

MetService still has in place several road snowfall warnings across North Canterbury (SH7 Waipara/ Hanmer Springs and SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill) and a heavy rain watch in the Kaikōura area (SH1).

Otago – highways open but care needed this week

• SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn was the last of the Otago highways to reopen before 1 pm today.
• There are ice warnings on the highways inland and north of Dunedin – SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn, SH87 Kyeburn to Middlemarch to Outram and SH1 Waitati to Dunedin over the Leith Saddle. 
• People are encouraged to drive with extreme care this week as the icy conditions continue, particularly mornings and evenings. Graders and grit trucks will be on these highways from daybreak Thursday.
• Places like the Lindis Pass, SH8, between Omarama and Tarras are also likely to be icy in the mornings, requiring drivers to slow down. 

Check before you go

Please check NZTA’s Journey Planner highway map before setting out around the central and southern South Island, particularly overnight in winter and in the morning. Avoid night-time travel if you can.

Journey Planner highway map

Tips for safe journeys this winter

• Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.
• Accelerate smoothly and brake gently.
• Use your highest gear when travelling uphill and your lowest downhill.
• For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, to avoid skidding or sliding, smoothly pump the brake pedal in short bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
• Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads.
• In winter, especially in frosty or icy weather, double the two-second rule to four seconds and leave a safe distance between you and the car you’re following.
• When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped for increased safety.
• Makes sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey.
• Plan your trip to avoid the coldest times of the day or night if you can.

“Whilst our crews and gritting teams will be doing all they can, road closures will likely still occur, especially overnight and into mid-morning. Please check our website before you travel and slow down on ice and gritted roads,” says Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA Central South Island.

West Coast-Canterbury – Porters open with restrictions

• NZTA has reopened SH73 over Porters Pass at 8 am today, with restrictions at this stage. People will need to put chains on their tyres and no towing vehicles will be allowed between Springfield and Castle Hill.
• On the West Coast side of SH73, Arthur’s Pass to Kumara Junction, there is a strong wind warning in place which also covers SH6 Westport to Haast.
• A section of SH6 Franz Josef to Whataroa is closed due to power lines on the highway due to the winds.
• A strong wind warning also covers SH7 on the West Coast side, Reefton back to the Lewis Pass, but the road is open.

South Canterbury

• Other highways in South Canterbury closed overnight remain closed at this stage with ice and snow conditions – SH80 to Mt Cook/ Aoraki, SH8 Twizel to Fairlie (Burkes Pass).
• A new section of SH79 Fairlie to Skipton/Gudex Road (the road to Geraldine) was closed earlier today also.
• There is snow on SH77 from Methven to the Rakaia Gorge, care is needed.

Otago – one closure so far

• SH85 Kyeburn to Palmerston is closed due to snow this morning, next update 1 pm. Check the traffic and travel page for updates.
• There are ice warnings on the highways inland and north of Dunedin – SH85 Omakau to Kyeburn, SH87 Kyeburn to Outram and SH1 Waitati to Dunedin over the Leith Saddle.
• It is snowing currently on SH87 Kyeburn to Outram so it could also end up with a closure.

Check before you go

People should check NZTA’s highway map before setting out around the central and southern South Island, particularly overnight in winter and in the morning. Avoid night-time travel if you can.

Journey Planner highways map

NZTA tips for safe journeys this winter

• Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.
• Accelerate smoothly and brake gently.
• Use your highest gear when travelling uphill and your lowest downhill.
• For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, to avoid skidding or sliding, smoothly pump the brake pedal in short bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
• Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads.
• In winter, especially in frosty or icy weather, double the two-second rule to four seconds and leave a safe distance between you and the car you’re following.
• When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped for increased safety.
• Makes sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey.
• Plan your trip to avoid the coldest times of the day or night if you can.

One night closure is planned for  Sunday night, 11 August. The route will be closed between 9 pm and 4 am.

The closure is for essential maintenance work. Doing the work at night under a full closure when traffic volumes are lower minimises disruption for drivers. It is also safer for road crews and allows work to be completed much faster.

Access to the route will be strictly limited. However, escorted crossings can be reserved for people who have booked in advance.

This must be done by 4 pm Friday, 9 August. Bookings can be made on our website:

Remutaka Hill closure escort booking form

NZTA/Waka Kotahi appreciates full closures do cause travel delays. However, regular maintenance closures are essential for keeping a vital state highway link open. They also significantly reduce the risk of bigger failures, which could create more disruption for road users.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while our contractors carry out their work.

Important information for Remutaka Hill closures

• Escorted crossings are available during closure nights but must be booked in advance. We always communicate well before planned closures and provide contact details so bookings can be made.
• Bookings can be made online on the Waka Kotahi website – see the link to the Remutaka Hill closure escort booking form above.
• Bookings are essential – drivers who turn up without one risk being turned away. If you have a genuine emergency on the night, the hill manager will decide how best to help you.
• The escorted crossings are for light vehicles only. To keep our contractors safe, heavy vehicles can’t be accommodated.
• Full access is always available for emergency services.

More information about planned maintenance closures for Remutaka Hill can be found on our website:

• SH2 Remutaka Hill road night closures
• Wellington Transport Alliance

Both SH80, the Mt Cook/Aoraki highway from Lake Pukaki, and SH8/Burkes Pass between Fairlie and Twizel, were closed this morning but re-opened around lunchtime with patchy snow and seven crews working hard to keep the surface driveable.

“With the wet road, snow still falling and sub-zero road temperatures already on the network we will close SH8 between Twizel and Fairlie through Burkes Pass and SH80 into Mt Cook/ Aoraki from 8pm tonight,” says NZTA System Manager Central South Island Mark Pinner.

Road temperatures are not expected to get above subzero till 10am Wednesday. “The team on site will review and we will reopen earlier if possible and safe to do so,” says Mr Pinner.

Canterbury-West Coast link, SH73 Porters Pass closed overnight

With snow falling at Porters Pass on SH73 from this afternoon, in icy conditions  between Springfield and Castle Hill, the highway was closed just before 7 pm.

The Lewis Pass, SH7, is the other route linking the West Coast and Canterbury, but people still need to check the traffic map as it could also be affected by snow overnight.

Ross to Harihari, SH6, West Coast

NZTA has closed this section of SH6 this evening with trees falling as strong winds lash the West Coast tonight. Check the traffic and travel pages for updates.

• As of 7pm Tuesday other highways are open around the South Island with a number of weather/wind warnings on the West Coast. Avoid travel if you are able to do so, especially overnight or in hours of darkness.

Check before you go

People should check NZTA’s highway map on Journey Planner before setting out around the central and southern South Island, particularly overnight in winter.

• Journey Planner
• MetService warnings page 
• Video showing how NZTA manages roads in snow and ice conditions in the south

NZTA tips for safe journeys this winter

• Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.
• Accelerate smoothly and brake gently.
• Use your highest gear when travelling uphill and your lowest downhill.
• For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, to avoid skidding or sliding, smoothly pump the brake pedal in short bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
• Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads.
• In winter, especially in frosty or icy weather, double the two-second rule to four seconds and leave a safe distance between you and the car you’re following.
• When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped for increased safety.
• Makes sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey.
• Plan your trip to avoid the coldest times of the day or night if you can.

One highway closed in South Canterbury

The Mt Cook/Aoraki highway (SH80), from the base of Lake Pukaki/the SH8 intersection, to Mt Cook Village remains closed since earlier this morning. 

• SH8 from Fairlie through Burkes Pass to Tekapo reopened before midday.
• Tekapo to Pukaki, SH8, reopened after 11am today.

Given the volume of snow falling and potential for icy roads, the Mt Cook highway could remain closed overnight.

View larger/downloadable map

Burkes Pass summit earlier today, from the grit truck.

Palmerston to Kyeburn, Otago, closed

In Otago, SH85 from Palmerston to Kyeburn closed before 9 am. Check for updates

• The Lindis Pass, between Omarama and Tarras, SH8, is currently catching snow but remains open with electronic signs warning drivers of the need to take care, slow down and also slow down when driving on a gritted road.
• Cold and slippery winter driving conditions mean that drivers coming in and out of Dunedin over the Leith Saddle on SH1 from Waitati also need to take care, especially in the mornings.

“In South Canterbury we have seven crews busy gritting and clearing snow today,” says Mark Pinner, System Manager Central South Island for NZTA.

“We have additional resources on standby around the central and lower South Island as the forecast is for snow to continue to around 2am tomorrow/Wednesday morning. The alpine passes between Canterbury and the West Coast could catch snow from midday today into Wednesday.

“People should be aware that there will be travel and route changes in coming days as once the snow stops, very low temperatures could also cause issues with a return to the black ice of earlier in July.”

SH73 Porters and Arthur’s Passes, SH7 Lewis Pass

At this stage Arthur’s Pass/ Porters Pass (SH73) and the Lewis Pass (SH7) are open, although snow could affect them from  this afternoon into Wednesday, says Mr Pinner. People should aim to travel in daylight hours whenever possible. Check the NZTA traffic and travel pages for any updates or restrictions on these routes (eg chains required, no towing vehicles).

Crown Range Road linking Queenstown and Wānaka

Updates on Queenstown Lakes District’s web pages or Facebook 

• Southland seems to have missed the snow so far.
• Another run of hard frosts is anticipated later this week over the lower and central South Island.

Check before you go

People should check NZTA’s highway map before setting out around the central and southern South Island, particularly overnight in winter.

Journey Planner

• MetService warnings page
• Watch a video on how NZTA manages roads in snow and ice conditions in the south (Youtube)

NZTA tips for safe journeys this winter

• Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.
• Accelerate smoothly and brake gently.
• Use your highest gear when travelling uphill and your lowest downhill.
• For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, to avoid skidding or sliding, smoothly pump the brake pedal in short bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
• Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads.
• In winter, especially in frosty or icy weather, double the two-second rule to four seconds and leave a safe distance between you and the car you’re following.
• When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped for increased safety.
• Makes sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey.
• Plan your trip to avoid the coldest times of the day or night if you can.

The NZTA Board has thanked Nicole for her dedication and leadership over the past 4.5 years, and acknowledged the personal sacrifice, time and effort that goes with such roles. 

“Leading NZTA has been a highlight of my more than 20 years in senior management,” said Ms Rosie. 

“The team at NZTA is incredibly dedicated to ensuring New Zealand has a land transport system that supports economic prosperity and serves our communities and I’m proud to have been part of that.” 

Ms Rosie joined NZTA as its Chief Executive in February 2020. During her time she has steered the organisation through the disruption of COVID-19, the impacts of multiple weather events including the North Island weather events of early 2023 and a significant growth in its work programme.  

“I’m proud that during my time as Chief Executive, we’ve delivered major projects such as Transmission Gully, the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and the State Highway 25A Taparahi rebuild, as well as strengthening our regulatory function and our digital offerings. 

“Now is the right time for me to move on to other challenges. I want to thank the wonderful team at NZTA and the partners, stakeholders and communities who are valued contributors to our work,” said Ms Rosie. 

With Ms Rosie leaving NZTA at the end of her term, the NZTA Board will commence a recruitment process for a new chief executive. 

MetService advises that a low over the Tasman Sea is forecast to affect the country from Monday to Wednesday, with persistent and cold easterlies expected to develop over the southern South Island, bringing heavy rain and heavy snow above 300 metres.

Many roads will likely be affected, with the largest accumulations in eastern Otago and also in the Burkes Pass area, including SH8 Alex to Clarksville and Leith Saddle. Northern and western Southland could also see significant amounts, affecting parts of SH94.

Southeasterly gales are also expected to develop over western parts of the South Island late Monday and Tuesday.

NZTA is reminding drivers that roads can be closed at short notice in bad weather. Please check road and weather conditions before you travel.

Journey Planner

People who are driving in the South Island should be prepared for heavy winter weather, says NZTA Journey Manager Nicole Felts.

“Slow down and be ready for ice in shady spots and on bridge decks, and try to avoid sharp braking,” she says. “NZTA crews will be busy gritting places which get icy, applying de-icing compound and clearing any snow as quickly as they can. If in doubt we will close highways until they are safe to use so please check our highway map before you set off.”

People should avoid driving at night if possible.

Latest MetService updates

MetService road snowfall warnings are currently in place for the following locations:

Area: Lewis Pass (SH7)
Period: 11hrs from noon – 11pm Tue 30 July
Forecast: Expect 5 to 10 cm of snow to settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 600 metres.

Area: Arthur’s Pass (SH73)
Period: 12hrs from 3pm Tue, 30 Jul – 3am Wed 31 July
Forecast: Expect 5 to 10 cm of snow to settle on the road above near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 500 metres.

Area: Porters Pass (SH73)
Period: 23hrs from noon Tue, 30 Jul – 11am Wed 31 July
Forecast: Expect 30 to 50 cm of snow to settle on the road above 800 metres, with lesser amounts down to 500 metres.

Area: Lindis Pass (SH8)
Period: 26hrs from 10am Mon, 29 Jul – noon Tue 30 July
Forecast: Expect 1 or 2 cm of snow to settle on the road above 800 metres until around 8pm this evening, especially during this morning and early afternoon. Then from around 8pm this evening until midday Tuesday, expect 4 to 8 cm of snow to settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 500 metres.

Area: Crown Range Road
Period: 23hrs from noon Mon, 29 Jul – 11am Tue 30 July
Forecast: Expect 2-5 cm of snow to settle on the road above 800 metres until around 8pm this evening. Then from around 8pm this evening until 10am Tuesday morning, expect 6 to 12 cm of snow to settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts down to 500 metres.

Area: Milford Road (SH94)
Period: 37hrs from 10am Mon, 29 Jul – 11pm Tue 30 July
Forecast: Expect a further 3 to 6 cm of snow to accumulate on the road near the tunnel until around 2pm today, then snow should ease. From 10pm tonight until 11am Tuesday, expect 3 to 6 cm of snow near the tunnel, with lesser amounts down to 500 metres.

Area: Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1)
Period: 16hrs from 1am – 5pm Tue 30 July
Forecast: Expect 15 to 25 cm of snow to settle at the summit, with lesser amounts down to 200 metres.

NZTA tips for safe journeys this winter

• Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.
• Accelerate smoothly and brake gently.
• Use your highest gear when travelling uphill and your lowest downhill.
• For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, to avoid skidding or sliding, smoothly pump the brake pedal in short bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
• Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads.
• In winter, especially in frosty or icy weather, double the two-second rule and leave a safe distance between you and the car you’re following.
• When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped for increased safety.
• Makes sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey.
• Plan your trip to avoid the coldest times of the day or night if you can.

The road, near the intersection with Putorino Road, between Bulls and Hunterville, has been closed since around 2pm.

Crews have now reopened the road with a reduced speed limit of 70 km/h in place.

The temporary speed limit will remain in place overnight.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi wants to thank road users who avoided their travel while the closure was in place and to those who took the detour in place.

Please continue to drive to the conditions through the area.

Please keep up to date with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.

Journey Planner

5pm 

a detour is now in place following a serious crash which has closed a stretch of SH1 at Rata, between Bulls and Hunterville.

Emergency services on the scene will direct northbound traffic to turn right onto Kakariki Road, onto Halcombe Road, into North Street in Feilding and right to join State Highway 54 through to Vinegar Hill all the way to the intersection with SH1, north of Hunterville.

The reverse detour will be in place for southbound travellers.

 Road users are strongly advised to avoid the area and delay all unnecessary travel.

3pm

A serious crash this afternoon has closed a stretch of State Highway 1 at Rata, between Bulls and Hunterville.

The road closed around 2pm near the intersection with Putorino Road.

The road is closed and emergency services are on the scene.

At this stage, there is no viable detour in place and road users are strongly advised to avoid the area and expect delays if travelling.

Please keep up to date with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.

Journey Planner