Nelson/Tasman state highway planned roadworks

Saturday 27 September to Friday 3 October

26 September 2025

Kia ora and welcome

Kia ora,

Welcome to the second edition of the Nelson/Tasman state highway planned roadworks update.

This weekly newsletter will keep you informed about what’s happening across the region’s state highway network so you can plan ahead.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with whānau and friends, anyone can sign up to stay informed.

When you’re driving through a worksite, please remember our crews are working hard to keep the roads safe, and keep you moving. Your patience and care makes a real difference.

The information outlined below is current as at 12:15pm on 26/09/2025.

For the latest updates on road conditions before you travel, visit Journey Planner.

SH6 Nelson to Blenheim

SH6 Whangamoa Saddle

Resilience works originally scheduled to resume on Monday 22 September were postponed due to weather. This work will now commence on Monday 29 September.

Work will be carried out from Mondays to Fridays but stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h reduced speed limit will be in place 24/7 for the safety of all road users. There are five sites to complete as part of this project, however only one site will be worked on at a time to minimise disruption. Plan ahead for delays of up to 10 minutes when travelling between Nelson and Blenheim while this work is underway.

Read our Traffic Bulletin for more information.

SH6 Nelson to Greymouth

SH6 Spooners Saddle

SH6 Spooners Saddle remains closed on weekdays from 7:30am until 5pm between Wai-iti Valley Road and North Road for the removal of wind fallen and damaged trees adjacent to the state highway. This weekday closure will remain in place until Friday 10 October. The detour route for southbound travel is via Wai-iti Valley Road, Stock Road, Valley Road, North Road - the reverse for northbound vehicles. This detour will add 10 minutes to travel times.

Our team is maximising the closure by carrying out maintenance work including clearing drains and culverts, and repairing catch fences.

Read our media release for more information.

SH6 Woodhen Bend - north of Kawatiri Junction

Ongoing rock armouring and flood damage repairs continue on SH6 Woodhen Bend - north of Kawatiri Junction until Friday 3 October. Work hours are Mondays to Fridays between 7am and 5pm. Stop/go traffic management and 30km/h speed restrictions are in place during work hours.

SH6 Dellows Bluff - west of Murchison

Overslip repair work is scheduled to be completed on Friday 17 October. Until then, work continues at Dellows Bluff between 7am and 5:30pm on weekdays. Please plan ahead for intermittent 15-minute stop/stops between 9am and 3pm and 30km/h speed restrictions during this time.

SH6 Inangahua to Lower Buller Gorge

Ongoing maintenance work on weekdays between 6am and 6pm until December. Stop/go traffic management and various speed restrictions are in place. Expect delays of up to 30 minutes at this site.

SH6 Rapahoe Straight

A 30km/h speed restriction will be in place at this site from 1 October following chipsealing work.

SH60 Nelson to Golden Bay

SH60 High Street, Motueka

From Sunday 28 September to Friday 17 October (Sunday to Thursday nights), SH60 High Street, Motueka will be closed to southbound traffic between Tudor Street and Greenwood Street from 7pm to 7am for asphalt resurfacing. During this time a local road detour via Staples Street, Thorp Street and Old Wharf Road will be in place. Allow an extra 5 minutes for this detour. The road will remain open for northbound traffic.

On Sunday 5 October, Monday 6 October and Tuesday 7 October SH60 High Street Motueka will be closed in both directions between Tudor Street and Greenwood Street / Pah Street from 7pm to 7am. During this time a local road detour via Staples Street, Thorp Street and Old Wharf Road will be in place. Allow an extra 5 minutes for this detour (see the map below).

Read our media release for more information.

SH60 High Street, Motueka - between Inglis Street and Fearon Street

Kerb, channel and footpath replacement work continues until Friday 31 October, Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm. During this time two lanes of traffic will be maintained but some parking spaces will be unavailable.

SH60 Tākaka Hill, Riwaka side, approx. 4 km uphill from Riwaka Valley Road

Plan ahead for delays of up to 20 minutes over SH60 Tākaka Hill as recovery work continues. Stop/go traffic lights are now in place along a 2.7km stretch of the hill between Riders Slip and Cooks Underslip. The lights operate 24/7 and cover multiple sites, increasing construction efficiency and improving safety for road users. A 30km/h reduced temporary speed limit remains in place at all times. Thank you for your patience as we carry out this important recovery work.

More information

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

All work is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of unsuitable conditions, work will be rescheduled to the next suitable workday.

For more information on the Nelson/Tasman state highway maintenance programme, contact us at Nelson-Tasmanmaintenance@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/sh-maintenance-programme/nelson-tasman

For information on Marlborough, West Coast or Canterbury state highway maintenance,  where you can sign up for newsletters that cover other regions.