Two trucks toppled on an exposed part of SH1 just outside Balclutha. Photo: RNZ/ Calvin Samuel
As travellers return home from the long Labour Day weekend, crashes have closed or backed up parts of State Highway 1, with severe weather and travel warnings across much of the motu.
Police and the NZ Transport Agency warned of a road closure, due to a crash north of Dunedin - which is now re-opened with stop-go controls - and heavy congestion near Tīrau in Waikato, with motorists asked to take other routes.
Many flights and some ferry sailings have also been cancelled during the storm, leaving travellers with uncertainty over their next steps.
Crash creates choke point in Waikato
Police said "significant" congestion issues had built up for northbound travellers on SH1 between Piarere and Tīrau before midday Monday, and asked travellers to find another path through the area.
"Motorists are advised to expect delays and should consider taking alternate routes where possible," they said.
NZTA said a crash in the area had caused the traffic to build and "caution is advised along this route".
Warnings as more storms sweep through
A sweeping collection of orange and yellow weather warnings and watches were issued for Monday, with heavy rain and wind sweeping up the South Island overnight from Sunday, expected to continue up the North Island from early Monday afternoon.
Bad weather was also expected for Tuesday.
Many places had already been hit badly by extreme winds or flooding in the past two weeks, with some parts of the South Island still without power or cell phone coverage, as repairs continue.
Some parts of Ruapehu and Waikato are still repairing roads, after earlier flooding and heavy rain.
The weather alerts were matched by cautions for motorists to avoid travelling during the stormy conditions and take care if they did venture out onto the roads, particularly for high-sided vehicles, light vehicles and motorcyclists, and travellers in southern and western parts of the South Island, and in Wellington, Wairarapa and Tararua District.
"Please remember to switch your headlights on, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards, when driving in these conditions," NZTA said.
In Southland, Otago, Canterbury and on the West Coast, it said heavy snow could make the road slippery and cause restrictions or closures.
Toppled trucks on their sides in Balclutha on Monday. Photo: RNZ/ Calvin Samuel
In Balclutha, currently under a state of emergency, two refrigerated trucks were toppled during strong winds on SH1.
Travellers were urged to check for the latest weather updates on MetService's website and latest highway conditions on NZTA's Journey Planner.
Waikouaiti River crash closes SH1
A stretch of the main highway north of Dunedin was closed on Monday morning, after two cars reportedly collided on the bridge over the Waikouaiti River, police said.
One of them was towing a caravan.
The crash happened about 10.20am Monday, with the road between Waikouaiti and Waitati Road blocked, as emergency services responded, but was re-opened with stop-go management by 1.15pm Monday.
A large giant sequoia next to SH1 south of Milton was damaged by the wind. Photo: RNZ/ Calvin Samuel
A MetService yellow heavy rain watch was issued for areas near Waikouaiti for a period from noon on Monday.
NZTA said anyone planning to drive this section of road should allow extra time for travel and follow the directions of emergency services.
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