Roadworks update

Kia ora,

From 10 November, we will be resuming night time closures of the Remutaka Hill Road for essential maintenance and slip prevention works.

The night time closures in March this year were extremely successful. We increased the safety of our maintenance crews, delivered higher quality work and significantly reduced the number of daytime disruptions on the hill road by 95%. There have been just five stop/goes on the Hill Road in the past 6 months, compared to approximately 300 in the year prior to the closures.

While we achieved a lot of high quality work during the closures in March, The Remutaka Hill Road is a high-use mountain road that requires ongoing maintenance to keep it safe and in optimal working order. Like a car, the more you use it, the more servicing it needs.

Based on these positive results, we’ll look to continue with night time road closures for maintenance work on the Hill Road in the coming years whilst we continue to monitor the benefits and impact to road users.

We're giving you early notice of the planned closures scheduled over the next 12 months so you can plan your journeys well in advance. These include four one-night closures and three blocks of five consecutive night closures.

During the blocks of five night closures, the road will be open each day between 4am and 9pm. 

Remutaka Hill Road night time closure schedule 

November 2019 

• 9pm Sunday 10 November - 4am Monday 11 November  (one night) 
• 9pm Sunday 24 November - 4am Friday 29 November (five nights - road re-opens daily at 4am)

January 2020 

• 9pm Sunday 12 January - 4am Friday 17 January (five nights - road re-opens daily at 4am) 

April 2020 

• 9pm Sunday 5 April - 4am Monday 6 April (one night)

May 2020

• 9pm Sunday 3 May - 4am Friday 8 May (five nights - road re-opens daily at 4am) 

July 2020 

• 9pm Sunday 12 July - 4am Monday 13 July (one night)

September 2020 

• 9pm Sunday 13 September - 4am Monday 14 September (one night)  

Affected by the closures? We're here to help 

We know these closures have a big impact on our night-time road users, and we will do what we can to accommodate your needs if this affects you. 

A limited shuttle van service on a timetable is available for shift workers who have no choice but to use the hill road at night. Access for emergency services is available at all times throughout the closures

Residents, you'll have access to your properties within the closures. A resident’s pass will be issued to smooth your progress through the closure point that is closest to your property.

If you need help, please contact us: remutaka@nzta.govt.nz

Further information on the closure is available on www.nzta.govt.nz/remutaka

Thanks for your ongoing patience and understanding while we continue to keep this essential link between Wairarapa and Wellington safe and accessible for you.