Road closures due to weather

Police are strongly advising against all non-essential travel through the central north island, due to heavy snow and hazardous driving conditions.

State Highway One north of Taihape is currently closed, and State Highway 4 between Ohakune and National Park is also about to close due to heavy snow in the area. There have been multiple vehicle crashes, with one crash at Erua on State Highway 4 (near the Makatote Viaduct) involving up to 9 vehicles. Fortunately there are no reports of injuries.

More roads are expected to close as temperatures drop and snow turns to ice. Anyone on the roads in these areas is urged to watch their following distances and drive to the conditions.

Police are also advising motorists that the *555 emergency number can be used to report emergencies and dangerous driving on the roads, but up to date road closure information is not available on this number.