New Zealand / Kaikōura Earthquake

Main road into Kaikōura closed until next week

17:52 pm on 19 April 2017

The main road into Kaikōura is expected to remain closed until next week, due to an unstable slip.

One of the recent slips to cut off the state highway near Kaikōura. Photo: NZ Transport Agency

State Highway 1, south of Kaikōura, was closed during the Easter weekend, after severe weather.

But NZ Transport Agency earthquake recovery manager Steve Mutton said up to 10,000 cubic metres of debris came down south of Peketa during the storm.

Mr Mutton said it looked like the whole hillside had slumped.

He said sluicing helicopters, seven trucks, three diggers, two loaders and a large dump truck had been brought in to clear the slip.

The inland road to Kaikōura, Route 70 via Waiau and Mt Lyford, is still open.