UPDATE: 4 September 2026, 2.30pm – Weekend reopenings for SH6 before weekday return to convoys

State Highway 6 between Makarora and Hāwea in Central Otago is scheduled to reopen to continuous traffic during daytime hours this weekend, following multiple slips on the road since last week.

In recent days, escorted convoys have operated three times daily to keep access available through the area while roading crews work long hours to clear about 30 slips, repair damage and monitor for risks of any further slips.

Subject to weather interruptions, from 8am tomorrow (Saturday 5 September), the road will be open to all traffic without convoys, closing again at 5.30pm. Temporary speed limits will be in place and there will be at least one site limited to a single lane where motorists will be required to stop on demand. The same will apply on Sunday, 8am to 5.30pm (6 September). The reason this section of SH6 needs to close again in the weekend hours between 5.30pm and 8am is that fresh slips could come down in the dark that are not visible to road users, and roading crews will not be readily available to assist as they are during the day.

After 5.30pm on Sunday (6 September), the road is scheduled to revert to the existing closed status, with the convoys operating three times daily from Monday onwards. Keeping traffic access limited to the daily convoys on the weekdays will allow crews to work faster and more safely on what is needed to fully restore the road.

Rain is forecast in the area through the weekend and if this results in any further slips, or concerns that further slips are imminent, the daytime reopenings referred to above may have to be cut short. Notification will be provided if this happens.

People can stay up to date on the latest road status at NZTA’s Journey Planner site or at the Otago/Southland Facebook page.

The scheduled departure and return times for the convoys on weekdays next week are as follows:  

• Convoy 1 departs Makarora village heading south at 7.15am; then returns north at 8am from Isthmus Peak Track car park.
• Convoy 2 departs Isthmus Peak Track car park heading north at 12pm; then returns south from Makarora village at 12.45pm.
• Convoy 3 departs Isthmus Peak Track car park heading north at 5.30pm; then returns south from Makarora Village at 6.15pm.