16 October
The following state highways will remain closed until 8pm tomorrow (Friday night):
State Highway 3 remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
SH30 from Te Kuiti and Benneydale is now OPEN.
SH31 is currently closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
Crews have started the cleanup now water levels have receded. Excavators and trucks are being used in the cleanup.
“There is a lot of widespread damage, multiple slips and debris to clear which is why the roads will remain closed today. We know this is frustrating and we’re working as quickly as we can to restore access. We appreciate people’s understanding and support,” says Liesl Dawson, System Manager for Taranaki and Manawatū-Whanganui.
15 October 2025
Crews have been working to clear slips following heavy rain and flooding in the region – with State Highway (SH30) from Te Kuiti to Benneydale expected to open by 7 pm tonight Wednesday 15 October. There will be two one-lane sections with priority give-way control.
State Highway 31 (SH31) between Tihiroa and Kawhia remains closed overnight and will open mid-morning, tomorrow Thursday 16 October.
A detour is available via Okupata, Pekanui and Ngutunui Roads, however this route is not suitable for heavy vehicles.
Once opened, SH31 is expected to have multiple one-lane sections with stop-go or priority give-way control.
10am
State highways in northern Taranaki and Waikato will remain closed today, following heavy rainfall yesterday.
While rainfall in the area has stopped, river levels are continuing to rise, and flooding, slips, debris and sodden ground means the roads remain unsafe for road users.
“Please adhere to traffic management in place and cordons in place – it’s really important people don’t try to drive through the cordons and through floodwaters. We know the closures are frustrating, but the safety of all road users and our crews is of paramount importance,” says Liesl Dawson, System Manager for Taranaki and Manawatū-Whanganui.
As of 10am:
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale.
SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
Crews are continuing to assess the damage across the network and Geotech assessments will be carried out during the day.
6.45am:
Crews will this morning be reassessing states highways currently closed following yesterday’s heavy rainfall.
The rainfall is clearing however multiple slips, debris and flooding kept the roads closed overnight.
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale.
SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is advising people travelling between Taranaki and Waikato to delay travel, while crews wait for floodwaters in some areas to recede and assessments to be made.
14 October 4pm
Waitomo District Council was on the verge of declaring a state of emergency today as heavy rain pummelled the district.
Slips and flooding closed State Highway 3 between Mōkau and Piopio, State Highway 4 between State Highways 3 and 43 and State Highway 30 between Te Kūiti and Maniaiti/Benneydale.
John Robertson
Mayor John Robertson said Piopio Playcentre was evacuated after flooding, and the council was working closely with residents living close to rivers in the districts.
“We are getting long periods of pretty high rainfall like we haven’t had before,” Robertson said.
In the Ōtorohanga district, State Highway 31 out of Kāwhia was closed on Tuesday night, as was Honikwi Road between Carlin and Wooster roads, Lurman Road, five kilometres from Rangiatea Road, Newman Road, Harbour Road and Tauraroa Road.
Okupatu Road was open, but could only take light vehicles.
4.30pm
State Highway 30 (SH30) between Te Kuiti and Benneydale and State Highway 31 (SH31) between Tihiroa and Kawhia, will remain closed overnight.
Crews are actively working on SH31, with diggers, trucks, and arborists on site. Work will resume tomorrow to ensure the road can be safely reopened.
SH30 remains heavily flooded and will only reopen once water levels recede and it is safe to do so.
3.50pm
A number of state highway closures around Taranaki and Waikato will remain closed overnight following multiple slips today as a result of heavy rainfall in the northern part of Taranaki.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is continuing to advise people to delay travel through Taranaki as heavy rain continues to cause flooding, slips and road closures ,which will remain in place until tomorrow morning, when the situation is reassessed.
Crews will reassess the roads once water levels have receded.
If people do need to travel around other parts of the region, please drive to conditions and be alert to possible other flooding, heavy rainfall and other slips.
State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth remains closed at Awakino between Mokau and Piopio. There are multiple, smaller slips further south towards New Plymouth. SH3 at Tongapōrutu is down to one lane and under stop/go with a 30km temporary speed limit in place in place.
State Highway 4 remains closed between Eight Mile Junction (the intersection between SH3 and SH4) and Taumarunui.
State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway remains closed from Whangamōmona to Taumarunui. Access remains open from Stratford to Whangamōmona.
In Waikato
SH30 is closed from Te Kuiti and Benneydale.
SH31 is closed between Ngutunui to Oparau.
