The destructive weather over the weekend has resulted in many road closures throughout the North Island while travellers are still having to sleep at Auckland Airport.
Several State Highways remain closed due to landslips or flooding.
On Monday, the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's maintenance and operations regional manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult told AM State Highway 1 Brynderwyn through to Waipu is closed because of slips.
"We are just conscious and we are monitoring that and we have had some trees come down through there as well," Hori-Hoult said.
She also said there isn't a detour route available for SH25 from Coromandel to Whitianga.
Hori-Hoult said contractors are out assessing the slips on SH25 between Coromandel and Whitianga.
"Further south, SH43 between Taumarunui and Stratford is now open and motorists are asked to take care, given there is still a large underslip, just 7km south of Taumarunui, at Herlihys Bluff."
SH1 was also closed between Port Marsden Highway (SH15) and Marsden Point Rd on Monday morning due to road surface deterioration.
"Heavy traffic will need to use SH12 and SH14 as a detour while lighter vehicles will be able to use a sign-posted local road detour," Hori-Hoult said in a statement at about 11am on Monday.
SH 16 between Helensville and Waimauku was also closed on Monday morning near Bradley Rd because of flooding.
Hori-Hoult said Waka Kotahi is doing all it can to try and fix the roads but they don't how long it will take for them to be useable again.
"We are still in our response mode and monitoring across that particular network so until we can get in there and really assess what's going on and the weather clears for us to do a really good job of that, we won't be able to give any indication of what the fixed time will be at this time," Hori-Hoult told AM.
She also urged those who needed to travel to take care on the roads.
"If you do have to travel because it is urgent or critical just be really careful and take extreme caution driving."
You can find information about road closures throughout the country here.
"If you are driving through, please be mindful of our contractors who may be out clearing hazards off the road and drive to the conditions. Please allow more time for your trips at the moment and be courteous to other road users," Hori-Hoult said.
"If you do come across a slip or debris or flooding on your journey that you can't see listed on our Journey Planner just yet, please call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS."
Auckland Airport disruptions
Major disruptions have plagued Auckland Airport after it flooded on Friday night.
On Monday, Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui told AM the weather conditions meant they were experiencing disruptions but they are working through it.
"There is a backlog but we are chomping through that and picking up pace in that delivery as things come back online and recovery is well underway," Hurihanganui said.
She said about 2000 people were stranded at the airport on Friday and that was reduced to 100 people by Sunday night across the international and domestic terminals.
Hurihanganui told AM the stranded passengers have been sleeping on benches and the floor, to wait for their next available flights.
"We have tried to look after them as best we can through blankets and hot meals and supplies if they have children. But nonetheless, they will be wanting to get home."
She said it is best for people to get in touch with their airline to sort out what is happening with their flights.
"We are certainly asking only the people that have confirmed and scheduled flights today [Monday] to come to the airport," Hurihanganui said.
"It's unlikely them showing up to the airport today is going to result in them getting a flight today," she said.
State Highway closures as of 9am
Northland region
- SH1 Brynderwyn to Waipu:
Despite crews working overnight, SH1 Brynderwyn Hills remains closed from SH12 intersection to Waipu.
Expect delays. Freight and heavy vehicles should detour via SH12 – light vehicles via Waipu/Mangawhai.
Auckland region
- SH1 South-Eastern Highway off-ramp:
Due to flooding, SH1 South-eastern Motorway off-ramp southbound is closed. Expect delays.
- SH16 Great North Road Off-ramp and Great North:
Due to flooding and underslips, SH16 Great North Road off-ramp is closed. Expect delays.
Waikato region
- SH25 Thames to Coromandel:
Due to a slip at Ruamahunga, the highway is closed between Waiomu and Tapu.
No detour available.
- SH25A Kopu to Hikuai:
A large section of the road at summit of SH25A between Kopu and Hikuai has collapsed late this afternoon.
The highway is closed until further notice. The Tapu-Coroglen and 309 roads are also closed.
Detour is State Highway 2 via Karangahake Gorge.
- SH3 Te Kūiti
Slips and flooding on either side of Te Kūiti township have resulted in the closure of SH3 between SH4 and Oparure Road.
Traffic travelling on SH3 through Te Kūiti should use the Troopers Road and Oparure Road detour to the west of Te Kūiti. Traffic travelling into and out of Te Kūiti have a short local detour from the northern side of the town starting at Te Kumi Station Road.
- SH37 Waitomo
Flooding as closed SH37 between the roundabout at SH3 and Fullerton Road.
Work is being undertaken to reopen this slip to one lane as soon as possible.
Bay of Plenty/Gisborne region
- SH29 Lower Kaimai to Tauriko:
Due to a large slip at near Ruahihi Road the highway is closed between Poripori Road and Tauriko.
A detour is available via Poripori Road.
- SH 30 Tikitere to Rotoma
Due to multiple slips, SH30 is closed between SH33 and SH34.
A detour is available via SH2 and SH33.
- SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne:
The highway is closed due to flooding and slips.
Taranaki region
- SH 43 Stratford to Taumarunui
Due to debris and flooding, SH 43 is closed between Stratford and Taumaranui.
Hawke’s Bay region
- SH50 Maraekakaho, at Kereru Road Lower Kaimai to Tauriko:
Fallen trees have closed a section of State Highway at Kereru Road.
SH2 is an alternate route.
Delays are likely in multiple locations as road crews work to restore state highway routes.
