Washed out road on State Highway 1 north of Kaitaia unlikely to reopen before middle of next week

The road is unlikely to open before the middle of next week. Photo/ Troy Dennison

State Highway 1 north of Kaitaia will remain closed until at least the middle of next week, NZTA says.

The NZ Transport Agency said it was working as quickly as possible to get one lane open after the washout that closed the road on Friday afternoon.

The washout, south of Pukenui between Whalers Rd and Lamb Rd, created a hole in the road about 20m wide and 4-5m deep.

"There is a significant workforce and heavy lifting equipment on site and we are working to have one lane open to traffic as soon as possible but that is unlikely to be before the middle of next week," Transport Agency's Northland system manager, Jacqui Hori-Hoult, said.

More rain is forecast for the region and NZTA said this could affect progress.

"The conditions road workers are facing are challenging and they will only work in daytime hours for safety reasons."

NZTA and the Far North District Council are advising against motorists driving on 90 Mile Beach or unsealed private roads through the forest.

"Drivers travelling on the beach or through the forest do so at their own risk, and drivers should be aware that the forest route will be degraded quickly as vehicles pass along it," Hori-Hoult said.

"These are high risk options for drivers and their vehicles if they are not experienced at driving in these conditions."

The Transport Agency is working closely with Civil Defence, emergency services and local authorities on a response to support those in the area who may be affected by the road closure.

Telecommunications in the Far North have been affected by the slip.

Spark says a piece of fibre cable owned by lines company Chorus has been damaged in the washout.

A spokeswoman says it is affecting a couple of cell sites and a small number of land lines and broadband lines.

A Chorus technician has been sent out to see what can be done.

Vodafone and 2degrees customers may also be affected.

Meanwhile, a drop-in centre for people stranded by the slip has been set up in Pukenui.

The Houhora Big Game & Sports Fishing Club has been opened up for anyone who needs help, but no one turned up overnight, Civil Defence spokesman Bill Hutchinson said.

Civil Defence would be providing information as tourists start heading south. This was likely to happen mid-morning, he said.