Taranaki state highway planned roadworks

Saturday 14 February to Friday 20 February

13 February 2026

Slip being cleared on SH3 Awakino Gorge

Kia ora,

It’s been a challenging week on State Highway 3 (SH3) north of New Plymouth, with a significant rockfall closing the northern end of the Awakino Gorge on Wednesday. Road workers have been working around the clock to clear debris, install protective barriers, and safely reopen the route. While traffic is now moving under stop/go traffic management, travellers should continue to expect delays as this work progresses and as other planned work continues along the corridor.

If you’re heading north on SH3, please allow extra time, be patient with our workers, and follow all temporary speed limits and traffic management on site. These measures are in place to keep everyone safe.

Before you travel, check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest updates and expected travel times: journeys.nzta.govt.nz.

Roadworks this week

State highways with scheduled works this week:

• State Highway 3 (SH3) Awakino to New Plymouth
• State Highway 4 (SH4)
• State Highway 43 (SH43)
• State Highway 45 (SH45)

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 12pm on 13 February 2026.

State Highway 3 – Awakino to New Plymouth

Due to multiple active work sites on SH3, allow an extra 40 to 60 minutes for your journey when travelling this corridor.

SH3 Awakino Gorge: This section of road is under 24/7 stop/go traffic management after a rockfall blocked the northern end of the gorge earlier this week. Crews are clearing debris and installing barriers to prevent further rockfall. Delays of up to 20 to 30 minutes are expected while a crane installs the remaining barriers. Once this work is complete, delays will reduce to about 5 to 10 minutes. Wet weather is forecast, and the site will be monitored as further rockfall could occur.

SH3 Mangapepeke Culvert replacements: Work is underway until April to replace 2 ageing culverts. Stop/go traffic management is in place.

SH3 Rapanui: Drainage work and a road rebuild will take place between Rapanui and Mohakatino roads from Monday 2 February until Friday 27 February, weather permitting. Stop/go traffic management will be in place.

SH3 Uruti: A road rebuild is underway between Uruti and Mangahia roads until Friday 20 March, weather permitting. Stop/go traffic management is in place.

State Highway 4

SH4 Taumarunui: Resealing will take place at multiple sites between Hekeawai Drive, north of the town centre, and the State Highway 41 (SH41) intersection from Tuesday 17 February for about 4 to 5 nights, weather permitting. Work will run from 6pm to 6am under stop/go traffic management, with delays of around 5 to 10 minutes expected.

State Highway 43

SH43 Tāngarākau Gorge: Scour and erosion repairs underneath the bridge are underway until Saturday 28 February, weather permitting. Work is taking place from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, under stop/go traffic management with delays of up to 30 minutes. Delays are due to large machinery on the road to access the underside of the bridge.

State Highway 45

SH45 Okato: Resurfacing will take place at the Carthew Street and South Road roundabout from Monday 16 February, weather permitting. Culvert replacement will occur first over 1 to 2 nights, followed by asphalt resurfacing from Tuesday 24 February over 6 to 7 nights. Work will run from 6pm to 6am under stop/go traffic management, with delays of around 5 to 10 minutes expected. Side roads, including Old South Road and Carthew Street, will close temporarily during work hours. All roads will be open during the day, but a temporary speed limit will remain until the site is complete.

SH45 Ōpunake: A road rebuild will take place between Allison and Aytoun streets from Sunday 15 February for about 8 nights, weather permitting. Work will run from 2pm to 6am each night, with louder milling works starting earlier in the day and quieter paving works completed overnight. Stop/go traffic management will be in place, with delays of around 5 to 10 minutes expected. Access to side roads may be restricted at times, so please plan ahead and use alternative routes where possible.

Upcoming closures

SH43 Forgotten World Highway: A road rebuild will take place between Mangaparo and Mangatarata roads at Nevins Hill from Monday 9 March for about 2 to 3 weeks, weather permitting. Work will run from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. The road will be closed from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm each day. Outside these times, the road will be open under stop/go traffic management with delays of about 20 to 30 minutes.

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.