Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

---

29 July 2:20pm

State Highway 6 Rocks Road has reopened following a weather closure earlier today.

Sea conditions meant the route remained closed slightly longer than originally anticipated.

Meanwhile, all state highways in the top of the South Island are open. However, the wet weather is ongoing, and road users must drive to the conditions and use extreme care on the roads.

More information

---

29 July 10:44am

State Highway 6 Rocks Road will be closed today, shortly before midday, due to the weather.

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says the closure is needed because of sea and weather conditions.

“We expect waves to affect the highway with high tide. Because this poses a safety risk to the public, the road will be closed.”

“The closure is expected to run from 11:45 am to approximately 1:30 pm. Although, reopening will depend on the weather and sea conditions,” Mr Service says.

All drivers are asked to detour via Waimea Road while the closure is in place.

All other state highways are currently open in the region. But with bad weather ongoing, people are encouraged to stay up to date on all the latest information and check road and weather conditions before they travel.

---

27 July

Contractors will be working hard on the cliff above State Highway 6 Rocks tomorrow (Monday, 28 July) to further protect the road from slips and debris falls ahead of bad weather forecast for Tuesday.

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says abseilers will install bidim material – a geotextile material designed to help prevent erosion – along the cliff face in areas where slips have recently occurred, causing the highway to close.

“With more heavy rain coming, we want to reduce the risk of further slips and rockfalls along Rocks Road,” Mr Service says.

“Getting the bidim sheets in place will help mitigate the impact of the heavy rain on the cliff,” Mr. Service says.

He says further work will also be done at the road level to help protect road users and the public.

“Contractors will be extending water-filled safety barriers further south, towards Magazine Point. These will reduce the risk of debris falls reaching the road,” Mr Service says.

The work will require traffic management, and Mr Service warns it will create disruption and delays for drivers.

“We will have to run stop/go traffic management at the site while the work is underway. This will result in travel delays and queues on one of Nelson’s busiest roads,” Mr. Service says.

“We are timing it to start from nine am, after the morning peak commuting time. But we expect it will continue into the afternoon peak travel time. Delays can be expected, and we urge the public to be ready for them,” Mr. Service says.

He says the traffic management is essential.

“We need to get this additional protection for Rocks Road in before the rain arrives. Our crews need time and space to get these measures installed to help protect a key transport route.”

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

---

30 July

SH1B Telephone Road rail crossing is now open.

---

25 July

The rail crossing on State Highway 1B Telephone Road, east of Hamilton, is set to reopen to traffic next week, more than 3 years after it was closed.

The signals and barriers at the crossing are in the final stages of KiwiRail’s testing and commissioning process. Pending final approval, the crossing is expected to open Wednesday afternoon, 30 July.  

“This is a big milestone for the Puketaha community who have been living with the lengthy detour,” says Andrew Corkill, Director of Regional Relationships for Waikato/Bay of Plenty at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). 

“It’s been a long process to reopen this rail crossing and we’d like to thank the community, Waikato District Council and KiwiRail who have all worked constructively with NZTA to get us to this point.”   

Since early 2025, work has been ongoing at the crossing to address the 2 main safety concerns which led to the rail crossing being closed in April 2022.  

The first was the height of the rail tracks above the road on either side of the crossing, which led to low vehicles hitting and dislodging sections of the rail track; the second was the short distance from the crossing to the intersection with Holland Road.  

To mitigate these, the road height has been raised by up to 410mm for a distance of 90 metres either side of the rail crossing and escape lanes have been built on Holland Road to ensure that vehicles can clear the rail crossing while the train is approaching. 

Siva Sivapakkiam, KiwiRail’s Acting Chief Infrastructure Officer says; “We are pleased to see the SH1B Telephone Road rail crossing open again, and safer than before with newly installed active safety protection. This is a good outcome for the community, and we thank everyone for their patience. This has not been a straightforward project, but strong collaboration with NZTA and others has led to this good result.”

New signals and barriers have been installed at the rail crossing and additional warning signs for approaching trains have been installed on SH1B Telephone Road and at the Holland Road intersection.

Background 

The rail crossing on SH1B Telephone Road was previously considered one of the most dangerous in New Zealand.

As a result of an incident in April 2022 KiwiRail and NZTA decided to immediately close the rail crossing until it could safely reopen.

Following the closure, NZTA commissioned a detailed report on the future options for the crossing from consultants WSP. The report explored a range of options from low-cost interventions such as barrier arms, limited access to light vehicles and judder bars, to more complex options that involved significant engineering work to reconfigure the rail crossing and adjacent intersection.

NZTA remained committed to investigating practical and affordable solutions to allow the SH1B Telephone Road rail crossing to reopen and continued to work with KiwiRail. This led to the new design which met KiwiRail requirements to allow the rail crossing to reopen.

Another important factor in the new design meeting safety requirements is the reduction in traffic volumes, particularly the lower number of trucks, using SH1B following the completion of the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway.  

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now confirm the name of the man who died following a crash on SH1, Manakau on 22 July.

He was David John Janssens, 72, from Otaki Beach.

Police offer our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have stood cordons down at Aotea Square, after a bag was found unattended earlier this morning.

The Police Specialist Search Group has examined the bag and there is no further cause for concern.

People are free to go about their business. Police appreciate the public’s cooperation this morning.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

One lane is closed after a truck has rolled on State Highway 35, Ōpōtiki.

Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash at around 9:50am, between Beach Road and Wairakaia Road.

No injuries have been reported, however the lane may remain blocked for some time while the truck is being removed.

Police are advising motorists to avoid the area where possible, and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are currently attending Aotea Square in central Auckland after a bag was left unattended.

Building security staff at nearby Aotea Centre reported the incident to Police just before 9am.

Staff working in the building have made the decision to self-evacuate the building.

Police have cleared part of Aotea Square and ask the public to stay away while the matter is resolved.

“Police are taking a precautionary approach with this matter,” Inspector Peter Raynes says.

“We have made this decision with the public’s safety front of mind.”

Inspector Raynes says the Police Specialist Search Group is being deployed to the scene to inspect the bag.

“We are working to clear the area as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Police will provide a further update once available.

ENDS. 

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

A longer seasonal closure for blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds will reduce pressure on the fishery and help support its sustainability, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. 

“Blue cod is a favourite for many fishers and this popularity, as well as other factors, has led to sustainability concerns for the Marlborough Sounds fishery.

“I have decided to extend the seasonal closure, which will now run from 1 September to 10 January annually, to help alleviate fishing pressure while other sustainability measures are considered,” Mr Jones says.

In 2022, commercial catch limits for the fish stock (BCO 7) were reduced in response to scientific information indicating high fishing pressure was impacting the fishery. Following this, an advisory group representing interests from across the fishing sector was established to provide local expertise.

“The advisory group has been instrumental in providing advice on ways to improve the health of the blue cod population in the Marlborough Sounds. I thank the members for their mahi to protect their local fishery, as well as the public who gave their views as part of the consultation.”

“Based on that input, I’ve directed officials to further explore factors affecting Marlborough Sounds blue cod, including reduced spawning and survivability of caught fish that are returned. I will consider advice on any further proposals as part of a wider package later in the year,” Mr Jones says.

“Ahead of this summer, officials are also updating educational material for recreational fishers about how they can do their part to ensure sustainability, such as avoiding blue cod during the closed season, and safely releasing blue cod to minimise risk of mortality.

For more information please visit MPI’s website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/marlborough-sounds-blue-cod-review-measures-to-reduce-fishing-pressure-and-improve-fishery-health/

Source: New Zealand Police

One person is in a critical condition after being hit by a vehicle on Lincoln Road, Henderson around 11.30pm last night.

The Serious Crash Unit attended, with Lincoln Road being closed for a period of time.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The road has since reopened.

Anyone with information that might assist enquiries can update Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250812/9115.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash in Tokoroa on 27 June.

He was 55-year-old Julian Rameka, of Tokoroa.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are continuing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a serious crash on the Southern Motorway, near the Te Irirangi on-ramp.

The single-vehicle crash was reported to Police at 7.50am.

One person is reported to be in a critical condition.

The left northbound lane is currently blocked with further closures likely.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area and take alternate routes where possible.

ENDS

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police