State Highway 1 south of Kaikōura could reopen as early as Tuesday, with crews working today to remove loose rock and vegetation from the site of a previous slip.

The highway has been closed between Cheviot and Kaikōura since severe flooding hit the region last week. Inland Route 70, also known as Inland Kaikōura Road, remains closed to the west of Kaikōura. Motorists can still use the detour via State Highways 7, 65, 6 and 63.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said the clearance work is happening where rocks and vegetation came down onto the closed highway on Friday, and will improve safety and resilience once the road reopens.

Flooding washed away part of the road, meaning a narrower corridor is being prepared for initial access. Crews are also continuing to place rock where floodwaters ate away sections of the highway so it can be reinstated.

Tuesday 14 July remains the earliest possible reopening date, with an update tomorrow expected to confirm it. Once open, restrictions are likely to include single lane sections where road users will have to stop on demand.

The agency has thanked people for their patience as crews work around the clock to make the road safe. Work will continue even after the highway reopens, including in the Conway River alongside the road once water levels drop sufficiently.