Several major state highways in the central and lower South Island remain closed this morning following this week’s severe weather, with the Waipara to Kaikōura stretch of State Highway 1 expected to stay shut the longest.

An NZTA spokesperson said the effects of the weather event had eased in many places, but significant closures remained in force.

State Highway 1 is closed from Waipara to Kaikōura because of flooding and road damage, while the Inland Route 70, also known as Inland Kaikōura Road, remains shut.

Snow and ice have closed State Highway 8 from Fairlie to Twizel in the Mackenzie Basin, and snow has closed State Highway 87 from Kyeburn to Middlemarch and State Highway 85 from Kyeburn to Morrisons in Otago.

The spokesperson said roading crews would be working to reopen the snow-affected highways today.

“The restoration of SH1 from Waipara to Kaikōura, following yesterday’s reopening of SH1 between Kaikōura and Ward, is expected to take longer because of the flooding damage to the highway,” the spokesperson said.

Motorists travelling between Christchurch and the top of the South Island can still use a detour via State Highways 7, 65, 6 and 63.

Area warnings for snow and ice apply to other state highways in Otago. State Highway 83 has reopened between Pukeuri and Kurow in North Otago after a flooding closure, but a 30km/h temporary speed limit is in place.

Further north, a strong wind warning is in effect on State Highway 7 between Springs Junction and Island Hills, and stop/go traffic management is in place on the same highway between Reefton and Blacks Point because of a slip.