22/04/2026
As at 5pm, 22 April 2026 - NZTA
Kia ora koutou,
Here is the latest update on the state highway network following heavy rain and slips across Taranaki and the King Country.
We expect State Highway 3 (SH3) between Piopio and Mลkau to remain closed until at least Saturday 2 May. This date may change if the weather worsens or if we uncover further damage as work continues.
One significant slip, pictured below, is the main reason the road cannot reopen yet. This slip has seen roughly 12-16 thousand cubic metres of material come down the hill โ the equivalent of almost 1,400 standard rubbish trucks.
The slip is still moving, which means more material could come down without warning. Before we can reopen the road, we need to build a โbenchโ โ a stable platform that creates a catch area for any further debris and makes room to reopen one lane under traffic management. Until the bench is in place and our geotechnical assessments confirm the area is stable, it isnโt safe to have traffic through the gorge.
There is a lot of work happening on SH3 to get it open as soon as possible, with more than 50 road workers on site each day working on the significant slip and the smaller slips north and south of it.
When the route reopens, it is likely to be in a managed state at first (one lane in places with stop/go traffic management) while work continues.
Work is taking place during daylight hours only. The ground is saturated and there is a risk of further slips, so crews need good visibility to work safely and to spot any signs of movement.
While this section of SH3 is closed, State Highway 4 can be used as an alternative route.
We know this closure is frustrating and disruptive. Please be assured road workers are doing everything possible to restore access as quickly as conditions allow.
For more information and updates:
We will provide updates as work to reopen the road continues. Up-to-date travel information is also available on Journey Planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz.
Image
The significant slip that is blocking SH3 Awakino Gorge. This photo was taken on Monday.
Ngฤ mihi
NZTA