Latest news with #WakaKotahi
Otago Daily Times
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Highways in South reopening but care urged
Some state highways in Otago reopening after heavy snow, but motorists are still advised to take care amid more snow and rain warnings. Check state highways here A low off the South Island east coast was expected to bring heavy rain to the lower South Island and more snow to inland parts of Otago and Southland on Saturday, MetService says. A heavy snow watch remains in place for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, also inland Dunedin and Clutha from 9am until 7pm today. Periods of heavy snow were expected above 400 metres, where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. A heavy rain watch was also in place for Southland about and east of Mossburn from 9am until 3pm today. Periods of heavy rain were expected and amounts may approach warning criteria. Southern police are advising motorists to be aware of road closures and to take caution when driving today. The NZ Transport Agency/ Waka Kotahi said crews were working hard to reopen state highways. Heavy snow had closed the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) from Tarras to Omarama, but the road was open by 11am. SH85 from Omakau to Kyeburn had reopened by 10.15am. However, SH87 from Middlemarch to Kyeburn and SH85 from Kyeburn to Palmerston remained closed. A police spokeswoman said motorists should limit themselves to essential travel only and allow for extra time on their journey. "Reducing speed, using headlights and windscreen wipers, and wearing seatbelts will also ensure a safe trip. Our roads are unforgiving and less predictable in our icy winter conditions, please drive with caution." In Central Otago, thick snow and ice was affecting roads in the Manuherekia and Maniototo areas, and caution was advised if using them, a spokeswoman for the district council said. By 10am the Ida Valley Omakua Road had reopened. However, rain and snow flurries were continuing and isolated areas of flooding were to be expected throughout Central Otago, she said. The Danseys Pass Road was closed from the gates past the Danseys Pass hotel. Heavy snow was affecting the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wānaka this morning, and a snow warning was also in place for Southland's Milford Rad (SH94). There were ice warnings at Middlemarch and Outram, near Dunedin. Ski fields near Wānaka have been blanketed, with Cardona Alpine Resort reporting 29cm of fresh snow overnight and more expected throughout the day. "The forecast has snow continuing throughout the morning and snow flurries over the day. Lifts will be delayed opening. Our teams are out assessing conditions, and we will open terrain as soon as its safe." At Treble Cone, 25cm had fallen in time for the ski field's opening day today. "Triple Treat groomed flat with fresh snow on top and we aim to open Upper Main Street and Big Skite pending patrol setup. Take care if venturing off-trail as this snow is thin. Cafe will be cranking with live DJs this afternoon." Drivers were advised chains were needed at both ski fields. Meanwhile, flood repair works are scheduled for SH1 near Hampden in North Otago and SH8 near Lawrence and Beaumont. Stop and go traffic controls may be in place, RNZ reported. Snow warnings for alpine roads LINDIS PASS (SH8)From midnight on Friday until 9pm on Saturday Snow is forecast to lower to 600 metres, and 3cm to 6cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit with lesser amounts to 600 metres.
Otago Daily Times
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Snow-hit highways reopening, but care needed
Some state highways in Otago reopening after heavy snow, but motorists are still advised to take care amid more snow and rain warnings. Check state highways here A low off the South Island east coast was expected to bring heavy rain to the lower South Island and more snow to inland parts of Otago and Southland on Saturday, MetService says. A heavy snow watch remains in place for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, also inland Dunedin and Clutha from 9am until 7pm today. Periods of heavy snow were expected above 400 metres, where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. A heavy rain watch was also in place for Southland about and east of Mossburn from 9am until 3pm today. Periods of heavy rain were expected and amounts may approach warning criteria. Southern police are advising motorists to be aware of road closures and to take caution when driving today. The NZ Transport Agency/ Waka Kotahi said crews were working hard to reopen state highways. Heavy snow had closed the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) from Tarras to Omarama, but the road was open by 11am. SH85 from Omakau to Kyeburn had reopened by 10.15am. However, SH87 from Middlemarch to Kyeburn and SH85 from Kyeburn to Palmerston remained closed. A police spokeswoman said motorists should limit themselves to essential travel only and allow for extra time on their journey. "Reducing speed, using headlights and windscreen wipers, and wearing seatbelts will also ensure a safe trip. Our roads are unforgiving and less predictable in our icy winter conditions, please drive with caution." In Central Otago, thick snow and ice was affecting roads in the Manuherekia and Maniototo areas, and caution was advised if using them, a spokeswoman for the district council said. By 10am the Ida Valley Omakua Road had reopened. However, rain and snow flurries were continuing and isolated areas of flooding were to be expected throughout Central Otago, she said. The Danseys Pass Road was closed from the gates past the Danseys Pass hotel. Heavy snow was affecting the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wānaka this morning, and a snow warning was also in place for Southland's Milford Rad (SH94). There were ice warnings at Middlemarch and Outram, near Dunedin. Ski fields near Wānaka have been blanketed, with Cardona Alpine Resort reporting 29cm of fresh snow overnight and more expected throughout the day. "The forecast has snow continuing throughout the morning and snow flurries over the day. Lifts will be delayed opening. Our teams are out assessing conditions, and we will open terrain as soon as its safe." At Treble Cone, 25cm had fallen in time for the ski field's opening day today. "Triple Treat groomed flat with fresh snow on top and we aim to open Upper Main Street and Big Skite pending patrol setup. Take care if venturing off-trail as this snow is thin. Cafe will be cranking with live DJs this afternoon." Drivers were advised chains were needed at both ski fields. Meanwhile, flood repair works are scheduled for SH1 near Hampden in North Otago and SH8 near Lawrence and Beaumont. Stop and go traffic controls may be in place, RNZ reported. Snow warnings for alpine roads LINDIS PASS (SH8)From midnight on Friday until 9pm on Saturday Snow is forecast to lower to 600 metres, and 3cm to 6cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit with lesser amounts to 600 metres.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Decision to back track on downgrading Ōtaki-Levin expressway met with joy
Ōtaki Gorge Road site at SH1 with Bridges. Photo: Supplied / NZTA / Mark Coote A decision from Waka Kotahi NZTA to back track on rescoping the Ōtaki to North of Levin expressway has been met with joy in the community. Earlier this year, months out from work beginning a revised design for the road was released which saw on-ramps and overbridges removed and the northern end reduced from four lanes to two. The design also cancelled the bridge that would link Manakau Heights to the rest of Manukau. The change saw four councils - Horowhenua District Council, Horizons Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Kāpiti District Council come out and say it would curtail development . Waka Kotahi said last month the design changes were primarily driven by the government's drive to save money. It has since been announced that three elements of the initial design would be reinstated. They were a grade separated interchange with Tararua Road in Levin, a southbound on ramp at the southern end of the road and a bridge at Manakau Heights. Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said the changes demonstrated a clear and powerful response to strong local and regional advocacy. "It's not just a good outcome, it's the right outcome. "It reflects the strength of our community's collective voice and the effectiveness of Council's long-standing advocacy to ensure this project lives up to its original promises of safety, efficiency and regional connection." Wanden thanked the NZTA board and local Ōtaki MP Tim Costley for which advocacy. Costley told RNZ that the changes were great news and was excited to see construction start later this year. He said the road had been cancelled and delayed over the past six years, so the revised scope caused frustration in the local community. "That was a lot for people to deal with, and it was kind of like here we go again." Construction of the Ōtaki to North of Levin expressway was expected to be complete in 2029. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Learner driver materials set to be translated into Pacific languages
By Elenoa Turagaiviu , PMN Photo: 123RF Learning resources for obtaining a driver's licence in Aotearoa New Zealand will soon be available in the Vosa-Vakaviti Fijian, Gagana Sāmoa, and Faka Tonga languages. Community Licensing Officer at the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi, Jodi Mitchell, told PMN News there are plans to translate more resources to assist learner drivers. "We are getting additional resources along those lines that will help them go about the process of obtaining a licence," Mitchell says. "These include how to read our road signs and how to help your learner if you've got a child that you're teaching to drive. "They will all be getting translated into Sāmoan, Tongan and Fijian." Waka Kotahi aims to improve road safety outcomes and foster greater accessibility through an inclusive licensing system. Mitchell says this is achieved by providing information in multiple languages, thereby ensuring a wider understanding of regulations. "We are working to make driver licensing more accessible to everyone who needs a driver's licence in New Zealand," she says. "That includes those who don't have English as their first language. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton "It reflects our dedication to serving the needs of our very multicultural society and fostering a driving environment that is safe and accessible for everyone." Currently, Mitchell says NZTA is translating several driver training resources into Fijian, as there has been a high demand from community driver licensing providers. "We are getting a lot of the community driver licensing providers that we've been working with saying they're seeing an increasing number of Fijians coming to New Zealand for work," she says. "They've shared with us how much easier it would be to support Fijians in New Zealand to get their driver's licence by making this available in their own language. "Once they become available, they'll be published on our drive website and shared with community driver licensing providers." Mitchell says disseminating information in various languages ensures a broader comprehension of NZTA regulations. A total of NZ$500,000 was allocated under Budget22 funding to make driver licensing resources more accessible for people who speak different languages. "We have a list that we're doing this year, and there'll be more coming," Mitchell says. "The purpose is, of course, to help them learn our road rules and how to drive safely on New Zealand roads. "We are just looking forward to more people getting their licence and being able to drive on our roads safely, as well as obviously improving their quality of life here in New Zealand, allowing them to become employed, access education, participate in our community and have that independence and wellbeing they deserve to have." Theory test questions for obtaining a driver's licence are already available in Fijian, Tongan and Sāmoan. - This article was first published by PMN.
RNZ News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
'Dumb decision' to increase Nelson highway speed limit reversed
Nelson's Clifton Terrace School students protested over the speed limit changes in February. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee A section of highway north of Nelson will remain at 60km/h after a strong community campaign against the government rollback of speed limit reductions. The 1.8-kilometre stretch of State Highway 6, north of Nelson, was set to increase to 80km/h from July, until Waka Kotahi / New Zealand Transport Agency agreed to publicly consult on the proposed change. The stretch of road through Marybank at Atawhai passes Clifton Terrace School and many residential properties. The community launched a strong campaign in opposition to the government's speed limit reversal plan , writing to the transport minister with their concerns. Waka Kotahi said it received strong feedback that people did not want the stretch of road to revert to higher speed limits. Of 1787 submissions, 76 percent wanted the speed limit to remain at 60km/h. Respondents showed a desire to keep children safe on the road, especially those travelling by foot or bike to Clifton Terrace School. Parents for Active Transport's Emily Osborne said it was a relief to learn the speed limit would remain at 60km/h. The group was formed in the hope of achieving safety improvements on the cycleway alongside the state highway so parents felt more comfortable with their kids riding to Clifton Terrace School, but Osborne said they had spent the last six months campaigning to ensure the speed on the highway remained the same. "It just reaffirms that this is a battle that we shouldn't really have had to fight because it was just a dumb decision [the government] made." She said claims the previous government was slowing the country down were not true, when the speed limit was previously reduced from 80km/h on that section of SH6 because it was unsafe. Waka Kotahi said its safety and technical data aligned with submissions said children were safer when travelling by foot or bike to and from school, and residents also reporting it was safer to cross the state highway with the traffic at 60km/h. "There are not many people around who think that going faster through that stretch is a good idea," Osborne said. She said the decision was "a little bit bittersweet" as it came on the back of speed limit increases on SH6 between Nelson and Blenheim, which reverted to their former limits on Monday. She anticipated that there would be more serious crashes and deaths on that section of highway, as was the case before the speeds were reduced in 2020. "We drive over it all the time as do all our family and friends and stuff and it's just not safe." Another "urban connector" section of road on SH6, north of Wakefield, was due to have its speed increased but was consulted on, with the decision also made for it to stay at 60km/h. Of 633 submissions, 49 percent wanted the speed limit to remain at 60km/h. Labour MP Rachel Boyack. Photo: Max Frethey / LDR Nelson's Labour MP Rachel Boyack said there had been a huge pushback from the community when the government announced the speed increases and she was delighted that their views had been taken into account. She said the blanket decision to reverse all of the speed limit changes had been made without looking at the evidence. "People have been advocating for lower speed limits in some of these areas for years and years off the back of fatal crashes, lots of incidents where children have been unsafe getting to school." She said the decision to retain the lower speed limit was a result of the hard work done by many to ensure Waka Kotahi heard the views of the community. "This didn't have to happen. If the government's rule had been written in a more flexible way at the very beginning, we wouldn't have had to go through this long-winded and expensive consultation process." Boyack said there was another section of SH6, further north at Hira, where the road ran past a school and the speed had been increased, despite strong community feedback against it. "The indication is that future speed management reviews could be made there, but it's just such a waste of time and money to be going back and forth between different speed limits. We need a robust system that looks at both the evidence and the views of the local community." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
