Temporary closure of Paekākāriki Hill Road

Paekākāriki Hill Road will be closed to through traffic on the Friday afternoon of Labour Holiday Weekend, 19 October, starting at noon and finishing at 9pm or when traffic eases on State Highway 1.

The NZ Transport Agency, NZ Police, Kāpiti Coast District Council and Porirua City Council are collaborating on the temporary closure. The extra traffic using Paekākāriki Hill Road at this time are at a higher risk of accidents, both on the steep, winding road and when merging with holiday traffic at Paekākāriki on State Highway 1.

This is a half-day only closure to through traffic in the interests of safety on Paekākāriki Hill Road and at its intersection with State Highway 1. A traffic control set-up manned by traffic supervisors will block the road at the lookout near the top of the hill. Northbound vehicles will be turned back.

Thank you for your patience during the Friday closure. We wish you a safe and enjoyable Labour Weekend.

Further information

Potential for accidents

At the start of holiday weekends, significant numbers of vehicles use the hill road as a shortcut and exit onto State Highway 1 at Paekākāriki where they cause significant delays for southbound and northbound highway traffic. The potential for an accident on the hill road and at the intersection becomes greater with the increase in vehicles using the road and attempting to merge into the high volume of highway traffic.

Depending on the outcome, the half-day closure to through traffic on Paekākāriki Hill Road will be considered for future use.

Paekakariki Hill Road residents, workers and visitors

Paekākāriki Hill Road residents and others working or visiting properties on the hill road will be able to enter from either the Paekākāriki – State Highway 1 intersection or from Pauatahanui. However, if leaving a property on the hill road, they cannot exit onto State Highway 1 at Paekākāriki during the temporary closure and should use an alternate route such as Grays Road at Pauatahanui.

In an emergency

Emergency services will have full access to Paekākāriki Hill Road at all times. If there is an emergency on the state highway, the closure will be lifted so the hill road can be used as a detour.

Thank you

Thank you for your patience during the Friday closure. We wish you a safe and enjoyable Labour Weekend. For further information, please email Journey Manager Neil Beckett, [email protected].