Long diversions around Kaikoura slip

The slip is thought to have been caused by heavy rain, rather, rather than the Christchurch earthquake. The NZ Transport Agency hopes to have one lane opened by Thursday. Photo / NZTA

Long diversions remain in place for heavy vehicles travelling on State Highway One south of Kaikoura, after a major slip on Friday night.

The slip at Peketa, 8km south of Kaikoura, is thought to have been caused by heavy rainfall rather than the Christchurch earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

Crews worked overnight on the site last night for the first time, as it had previously been deemed too dangerous.

Two specialists abseiled along the slip over the weekend, removing loose debris to make the site safe for contractors.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said it hoped to reopen one lane to traffic by Thursday.

NZTA Canterbury state highways operations manager Peter Connors said the slip was about 100 metres long and contained about 15,000 cubic metres of rock.

The slip has further added to the chaos in earthquake-hit Canterbury, as aid supplies heading south have had to be diverted along SH63 via the Wairau Valley and SH7 via the Lewis Pass.

Light traffic, including cars, light trucks and buses, can use the Inland Kaikoura Rd, which adds an extra 90 minutes to the journey.

KiwiRail has been forced to move freight by road as the slip has blocked the Main North Line which runs along the Kaikoura coastline.

The TranzCoastal passenger service between Picton and Christchurch has also been suspended.