Taranaki state highway planned roadworks

Saturday 6 December to Friday 12 December

5 December 2025

Sealing underway on State Highway 3A north of Inglewood.

Kia ora,

Summer is here and Christmas is just around the corner.

With more people on the move, we’re working hard to plan our roadworks around major events to keep disruption to a minimum. Whether you’re heading to a festival or visiting friends and whānau, take your time and drive safely. Enjoy the summer sunshine and make sure you arrive at your destination stress-free.

Before you hit the road, check NZTA’s Journey Planner for the latest updates on roadworks and traffic conditions. A quick look can save you time and help you plan the best route: journeys.nzta.govt.nz.

Thank you for your patience as we keep Taranaki moving.

Roadworks this week

State highways with scheduled works this week:

• State Highway 3 (SH3) Awakino to New Plymouth
• State Highway 3A (SH3A)
• State Highway 43 (SH43)
• State Highway 44 (SH44)

Roadworks may be postponed due to rain or other factors that disrupt the weekly schedule.

Check NZTA Journey Planner for the latest travel information and journey times: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Information current as at 11am on 5 December 2025.

State Highway 3 – Awakino to New Plymouth

SH3 Awakino: Stop/go traffic management is in place at all times due to an underslip caused by recent wet weather. A geotechnical assessment is underway to determine a long-term solution.

SH3 Tongapōrutu: Underslip repairs are underway until early January (weather permitting). Stop/go traffic management is in place. Road will be open to 2 lanes of traffic during Christmas/New Year period. Expect delays of 5 to 10 minutes.

SH3 Urenui: A road rebuild is underway until 19 December. Work will take place under stop/go traffic management with delays of 5 to 10 minutes. Work will run between 6am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

SH3 Waitara: Flexible median barrier repairs will be completed overnight on Sunday 7 December, weather permitting. Work will take place between 7 pm and 6 am. SH3 will be closed to northbound traffic during this time, with a detour in place. Southbound traffic will continue to use SH3 as usual.

State Highway 3A

SH3A Inglewood: A road rebuild is underway from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm. Stop/go traffic management is in place, with delays of 10 to 15 minutes. The rebuild is due to finish by 19 December.

State Highway 43

SH43 Aukopae: Bridge beam installation works are planned on Tuesday 9 December and Wednesday 10 December (weather permitting) as part of the Kururau Stream Water Drive bridge replacement project. Traffic management will be in place from 6am to 6pm, with traffic held at times and delays of 5-10 minutes expected.

A new 20-metre bridge is being constructed in this location, which is west of Taumarunui, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.

This bridge replacement is one of a number of priority bridge projects being delivered across the country in the coming years. Bridge replacements like this ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable and efficient for road users for years to come.

Kururau Stream Water Drive bridge replacement

State Highway 44

SH44 Breakwater Road: New Plymouth District Council is replacing a watermain. This work is expected to finish before Christmas. Stop/go traffic management is in place, with a 30 km/h temporary speed limit. NZTA will complete a road rebuild at this site in 2026.

SH44 St Aubyn Street: A road rebuild is underway from Sunday to Thursday nights between 7pm and 6am. Stop/go traffic management will be in place with delays of 5-10 minutes. The rebuild is expected to finish in early December.

More information

Please be aware that there may be other less disruptive state highway works not listed in this newsletter.

Roadworks listed in this newsletter may be postponed due to rain or other factors that disrupt the weekly schedule.

Check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest travel information and journey times before starting your journey: journeys.nzta.govt.nz.

For more information on the Taranaki state highway maintenance programme, contact us at info@nzta.govt.nz or 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444 449) or visit our website nzta.govt.nz/taranaki-maintenance.