State Highway 3 slips and closures

The story so far

The highway was expected to reopen to single-lane traffic under stop/go controls by the end of the following day, while contractors cleared the debris.^{13 Jun 2025} Heavy rain in early July closed State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge again, and Rocks Road on the Nelson waterfront was shut after a Friday morning slip.^{4 Jul 2025} On 4 July, a slip closed State Highway 3 between Mokau and Piopio early that Saturday, and NZTA advised travellers to delay their journeys.^{5 Jul 2025} A southbound lane at Mount Messenger also remained closed due to a slip.^{5 Jul 2025}

Latest

The most recent reports, from 4 July, describe a slip closing State Highway 3 between Mokau and Piopio, with a southbound lane at Mount Messenger also closed.^{5 Jul 2025}

Key moments

1. 12 Jun 2025Mudslide blocks State Highway 3 at Awakino; highway to remain closed overnight.
2. 13 Jun 2025Contractors clearing debris; single-lane stop/go reopening expected by end of Friday.
3. 4 Jul 2025Heavy rain closes State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge; Nelson's Rocks Road shut.
4. 5 Jul 2025Slip closes State Highway 3 between Mokau and Piopio; travellers told to delay.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.