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NOTE: This page is only updated during office hours Monday-Friday. During a major event and out of hours, conditions on the ground may be different.
Unplanned Closures
Thursday 9 July 2026 until further notice
The following council roads are closed:
- Mackenzie Pass Road
- Hakataramea Pass Road
- Braemar Road
- Homebush Road
Please stay off all closed roads and obey all road signs.
Planned Closures
There are no planned road closures at this time.
Top reasons to avoid closed roads
- It is against the law: Disregarding road closed signs is a traffic offense.
- Hidden dangers: Roads under snow and flood can hide several dangers: damage to the road (washouts, missing bridges, damaged culverts), hidden slips, debris (rocks, trees, animals, abandoned vehicles), or strong currents that will sweep a car away.
- Operational staff: Mountain passes and rural highways frequently suffer from heavy snow and black ice. These roads require heavy machinery to clear before they can be safely reopened. Other vehicles traveling on these roads risk impeding the clearing operations and delaying everyone’s travel.
- Voided insurance: Driving on a closed road violates the terms of most rental car and personal vehicle insurance policies. You will pay out of pocket for any damage to your vehicle, or any towing/rescue costs you incur.
- Lack of service: Cellular reception and access to help are very limited in rural and alpine areas of New Zealand. It may be difficult to get help if you run into trouble on a closed rural road.
- Risk to emergency responders: If you need help on a closed road, you may find that all the available responders are already dealing with the emergency elsewhere. You could be taking them away from the situation they are already responding to, and you may have to wait for an extended time until they are free.
Road Maintenance work / Traffic delays
Mackenzie Half Marathon, Fairlie - Saturday 18 July 2026 - 9:00am to 4:00pm
Motorists are advised to expect increased competitive runner activity and brief traffic delays in Fairlie on Saturday 18 July 2026, from 9:00am to 4:00pm, due to the Fairlie Half Marathon.Competitors will be running along footpaths and the sides of the following roads - Main Street (SH8), Talbot Road, Gray Street, School Road, Kirke Street, Hamilton Street, Tondros Road and Spur Road.
Traffic will be temporarily stopped at the intersection of Talbot Road and Gray Street using Stop/Go signs to ensure that parked vehicles do not block the competitors and other vehicles.
There will be no road closures in place for this event.
State Highway Status
View real time information on New Zealand State Highway network works and closures within the Mackenzie District here.