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State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge is reopening at 8am today (Thu 12 Feb) with stop/go traffic management and delays to…

State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge is reopening at 8am today (Thu 12 Feb) with stop/go traffic management and delays to…
Tony Skilling

Tony Skilling

12 February 2026

RoadingRoading Taranaki
SH3 through the Awakino Gorge has reopened with stop/go after a significant rockfall closed the road yesterday.

State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge is reopening at 8am today (Thu 12 Feb) with stop/go traffic management and delays to be expected. The stretch of road closed yesterday afternoon following a significant amount of rockfall across a 500m stretch of road. Crews worked late into yesterday to clear the rockfall and prepare the area by installing a barrier to catch any further rockfall today.

The road will be down to single lane with traffic management in place. With other work underway on SH3, please continue to expect between 40 to 60 minute delays through the entire corridor. There is still a significant amount of rockfall and debris to clear so crews will remain onsite with heavy machinery for some time to come.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will be closely monitoring the site over the next few days as rainfall is predicted.

SH3 Awakino Gorge Rockfall Road Closure NZTA

Taranaki Media is committed to transparency. We maintain strict editorial independence, adhere to NZ Media Council Principles and clearly label all sponsored content. We occasionally use AI tools to assist with research and draft-creation.

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