New Zealand / Weather

Weather updates: Heavy rain and strong winds expected for North Island

18:08 pm on 26 September 2023

Two return convoys have managed to get through Haast Pass on Tuesday as Waka Kotahi opened a single lane on the vital storm damaged route along State Highway 6.

Muddy Creek Bridge north of Makarora was buried in a massive slip in last week's extreme weather with debris initially piled four metres high.

The road is a vital tourist route linking Haast, Fox Glacier and Franz Josef to Wanaka and Queenstown.

Escorted convoys of light vehicles were allowed to drive a single lane along the route at midday and 4.30pm.

In a statement, Waka Kotahi Southland and Otago system manager Robert Choveaux said from Wednesday vehicles weighing more than five tonnes (for example buses) would also be able to join the convoys.

Waka Kotahi says there are two excavators, two loaders, five trucks and a bulldozer working in confined and challenging spaces to get the job done as quickly as possible.

Development West Coast chief executive Heath Milne said only having two convoys a day with only light vehicles has been disruptive.

"I think having only light vehicles has been a bit of an issue because you know vital supplies haven't been able to get through and you know the stocks have been running low in a lot of areas."

But the issue should ease since Waka Kotahi would be letting large vehicles through in the convoys from Wednesday, he said.

Some people have cancelled their travel plans as a result of the disruptions, he said.

"I'm hoping that that will be restricted and that problem will stop now that we know that ... at least you can get through and Waka Kotahi are working hard to get that completely open."

Follow RNZ's live updates for the latest weather updates: