BREAKING NEWS - Waka Kotahi Traffic Bulletin: State Highway 6 Rocks Road in Nelson - MAY BE CLOSED - Thursday night

 

Rocks Road may be closed tomorrow night Thursday 11 Apr. 2024.

UPDATE: Top of the South/lower North Island drivers, don’t let bad weather get you in a spin

Update 2:45 pm 10 Apr 2024:

Due to the weather and tidal conditions forecast for Nelson, it’s anticipated State Highway 6 Rocks Road in Nelson will need to be closed between 10 pm and 2 am tomorrow night (Thursday, 11 April). 

 

Light vehicles will be able to use local road detours. Heavy vehicles will need to use Waimea Road.

 

Drivers travelling between Nelson and Stoke/Richmond must factor this into their travel plans.

 

NZTA/Waka Kotahi encourages all drivers to check road and weather conditions before they travel.

Update 11:30 am

With the Metservice updating its weather warnings for the Lower North and Upper South Islands, drivers must be prepared for potential for challenging driving conditions over the next few days.

 

A Heavy Rain Warning is now in place for Tasman northwest of Motueka, the Bryant Range near Nelson, and inland Marlborough west of Blenheim and north of the Awatere River. Significant rain is forecast from tomorrow afternoon (Thursday) through to early Friday morning.

 

A Strong Wind Watch has also been issued for Buller, Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough and Wellington. Northerly winds may approach severe gales in exposed places.

 

Truck and van drivers, motorcyclists, and towing vehicles must take care, particularly in areas where strong winds are known to affect traffic –  such as State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill and  State Highway 1 Transmission Gully Wainui Saddle.

 

Where wet weather is forecast, drivers must drive to the conditions and be alert to the possibility of slips, rockfalls, and localised flooding. Check your speed, watch your following distances, use your headlights if visibility is poor, and allow extra time for your journeys.

 

Drivers are encouraged  to check the weather and road conditions before they travel, as bad weather can see roads closed at short notice.

• Highway Conditions – Nelson/Marlborough
• Driving to the conditions
• Metservice  Weather Warnings

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Safety works on track

 

Completed SH60/Tasman View Rd intersection works. Credit NZTA.

State Highway 60 Ruby Bay Bypass safety works on track

Good progress is being made on a project that will make the Ruby Bay Bypass on State Highway 60 (SH60) a safer road.

 

Work has been underway since February, to install flexible road safety barriers between the Dominion Road and Harley Road intersections, as well as building a new right turn bay for traffic at the Tasman View Road intersection.

 

Emma Speight, Director of Regional Relationships, says it is great to have the right-turn bay finished ahead of schedule.

“Thanks to good weather, contractors have finished the right turn bay at the SH60/Tasman View Road intersection earlier than planned, and it reopened on 28 March.”

 

“Crews have also been completing widening works and installing new side barriers along the different sections of the Bypass. The road widening creates the space needed to put the flexible road safety barriers in place,” Ms Speight says.

 

 

Extending the sections of daytime work sites.

Ms Speight says the work has had some challenges.

 

“While preparing the road for widening, contractors have had to manage and work around underground utilities. It has been a little more difficult than anticipated.”

 

“To manage this and ensure the project stays on track, contractors will be extending the sections they are working on,” Ms Speight says.

 

Instead of two one-kilometre sections of contraflow and temporary speed limits, from 10 April, there will be three sections of contraflow.

 

They will be on SH60 between the Dominion Road and Harley Road intersections. The highway will remain open in both directions. Contraflow occurs when vehicles use lanes normally used by traffic travelling in the opposite direction. 

 

“The other two sites will be shortened, and the third site will be reduced each night and weekend to just a shoulder closure,” Ms Speight says.

 

She says people should plan for approximately seven-minute delays when travelling through the site.

Tasman View Road intersection work. Ctrdit NZTA.

 

Nighttime road closures from mid-May

Nighttime road closures will be needed to allow the installation of the barriers in mid-May for three weeks. A  detour will be available. Further updates with specific details will be provided before this work begins.

 

New flexible road safety barrier system

As part of the barrier installation, NZTA/Waka Kotahi is evaluating a new flexible road safety barrier product called ROBOS, which has met the requirements of the latest road safety hardware protocols.

 

It will be used on about four kilometres of the approximately seven-kilometre project length. This small section is a controlled environment suitable for evaluating and monitoring.

The evaluation will be run over two years and focuses on the following:

• ROBOS’ construction methodology.
• The productivity rate of installing the barrier system.
• The way the barrier is installed to see if it will provide less disruption to people traveling on the road, and if it is a safer installation method.
• Maintenance of the barrier system.

Ms Speight says it’s important to always look at new ways and products that can bring innovation and efficiency.

“We want better health and safety outcomes for the public, fewer travel disruptions on state highways, and improved value for money with our infrastructure investments.”

Pigeon post News, Richmond.

MetService Weather News Release

 

MetService

Unsettled weather but not much rain for Tasman and Nelson in the run-up to Easter

25/03/2024

Covering period of Monday 25th - Thursday 28th March

MetService is forecasting a series of fronts which will make their way over the country this week, bringing strong northwesterly winds and periods of rain, particularly for the South Island. On Thursday, a cold southwesterly flow takes over, and while it brings some clearer skies over the South Island, it also leads to lower temperatures. 

This evening, a cold front reaches the South Island, preceded by strengthening northwesterly winds and accompanied by periods of heavy rain in the west. Strong Wind Watches have been issued for the Southland and Otago Regions, as well as the Canterbury High Country. Heavy Rain Watches are also in place for Fiordland and the ranges of the Westland District. These Severe Weather Watches are in place through the night into the early hours of Tuesday morning.  

A Strong Wind Watch has also been issued for Wellington and Wairarapa from Carterton southwards, as the front moves onto the lower North Island overnight. 

MetService Meteorologist Juliane Bergdolt elaborates, “As the cold front moves northwards early tomorrow morning, northwesterly winds strengthen over the lower North Island. Winds may approach severe gale at times within the Watch area, particularly about the hills, before weakening rapidly and moving eastwards off the country Tuesday night.”

Overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday a low-pressure system passes just to the south of the South Island, bringing another cold front onto the lower South Island. 

Bergdolt details, “We see a repeating pattern on Wednesday as another front moves northwards up the country, reaching Christchurch around midday. Much like Monday’s front, it is preceded by strengthening northwesterlies and potentially heavy rain. Severe Weather Watches may be issued for similar regions as earlier in the week in the coming days. However, this front is followed by strong and cold southwesterly winds, bringing a distinct dip in the temperatures just ahead of the long weekend.”

Looking ahead the Easter forecast still has some uncertainties, with a low-pressure system to the northeast of the North Island that may have a part to play.  However, the driest weather will be in the South Island, with Central Otago, inland Canterbury, and the West Coast most likely to see the sun. However, there will be a chill in the air so wrap up warm for any early morning Easter egg hunts.

MetSercice Comms.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Line Marking Work on State Highway 60: Delays Expected

 

(Image: SH6/Tasman View Rd intersection). Credit NZTA.

Nighttime Stop/Go this Wednesday night for State Highway 60 Ruby Bay Bypass Safety Barrier Works

Motueka to Nelson Route SH6

Drivers traveling between Motueka and Nelson should be aware of upcoming roadwork. On Wednesday night, March 27, contractors will be completing line marking as part of a safety improvement project.

Key Details:

• Right-Turn Bay Installation: Work crews are ahead of schedule in installing the right-turn bay at the State Highway 60/Tasman View Road intersection.
• Intersection Reopening: Weather permitting, the intersection is expected to reopen on Thursday, March 28.
• Night Work: Line marking for the right-turn bay will take place at night, between 7 pm and 5 am on Wednesday night (March 27).
• Location: The marking will cover approximately 500 meters on either side of the Tasman View Road intersection.
• Delays: Drivers should plan for up to 10 minutes of delays when passing through the work site.
• Speed Limit: For safety reasons, please adhere to the temporary speed limit of 30 km/h during this period.

Additionally, during the Easter weekend and Anzac Day, temporary traffic management will remain in place along the Ruby Bay Bypass on State Highway 60. Traveler's using the highway during the holiday weekend should factor this into their plans.

Stay informed and drive safely! 🚗🛣️

Felix Marwick
Media Manager NZTA

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

First Te Tauihu iwi Cadetships

Pictured: Rangi Anderson (Nelson City Council), Kelly Hayes (Tasman District Council) and Huia Rentoul (Kaituitui Ahurea) Pōwhiri acknowledges first Te Tauihu iwi cadetships. Photo credit Tasman Communications 

Pōwhiri acknowledges first Te Tauihu iwi cadetships 

RICHMOND

25 March, 2024

Local Government-Iwi relationships in the Top of The South have taken an important step forward last week with the official launch of a cadetship program to be run across Nelson City, Tasman and Marlborough District Councils, and supported by the eight Te Tauihu iwi.   

Funded by tranche one of Central Government’s Better Off Funding, three cadetships have been established under the Te Aka Pūkenga programme - a new initiative collectively formed by ngā iwi ō Te Tauihu and the three local Councils. 

The goal for these roles is to help to increase iwi capacity by giving cadets exposure and experience working within councils and iwi organisations across the rohe. 

Kelly Hayes (Tasman) and Rangi Anderson (Nelson) are the first to take on this challenge.  

On Monday March 18, the two wāhine started their term with a pōwhiri at Nelson's Whakatū Marae to welcome them into their new positions. 

Marlborough District Council has also appointed their cadet and they will commence their role in April. 

“Personally, it means a lot to me working with Te Kaunihera o Whakatū as well as the local iwi – helping to make a change for everyone and making a difference for āpōpō (tomorrow)” said Rangi (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngai te Rangi, Ngāti Te Ranginui).  

Having previously worked part-time at Tasman District Council, Kelly (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō) said she was excited to return and strengthen the connections she had already made. 

Tasman District Council Chief Executive Leonie Rae said she was delighted to welcome Kelly to our team. 

“This cadetship will provide Kelly with a wonderful opportunity to grow her understanding of the Council and the work that we do to provide intergenerational benefit to our region. In turn, Kelly will provide us an opportunity to grow the all-important relationship we have with Te Tauihu iwi.” 

Tasman District Council Kaihautū Hononga Renee Thomas said “the Te Aka Pūkenga initiative is one that has been given to us by our Te Tiriti Partners.” 

“The mutually beneficial outcomes are aimed at building capacity and capability for whānau, hapū and iwi, as well as strengthening our reciprocal relationship with ngā iwi ō Te Tauihu.” 

“Kelly will bring another layer of experience and knowledge to council, and I hope that she gets to spend time with many people across the community while on this 12-month program. 

The role of Kaituitui Ahurea who will liaise with Tasman and Nelson Councils for management of events leading up to Te Matatini in 2027 has also been filled - with Huia Rentoul (Te Arawa) welcomed at Monday’s pōwhiri. 

Coming from an events background which includes running her own business, Huia said the role offered hononga (connection) to Te Ao Māori and had put her in a position “where I’m meant to be.” 

“It’s connecting to who I am and aligning everything I love and making it my job – I feel like everything I’ve done in my space has led me to be here.”

Tasman Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

 

Name Release By Police - Tākaka

Name Release: Unexplained Death, Pigville Road, Tākaka

22 March 2024

Tasman Police are currently investigating an unexplained death that occurred on Pigville Road in Takaka. The body was discovered on a rural property around 4pm on Tuesday, 12th March 2024. Police are working on conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Formal identification has now been completed for the man who was located deceased at his rural property on Pigville Road, Tākaka, Tuesday 12 March. He was 40-year-old Peter Michael Miller of Tākaka. Police extend their sympathies to his family, who we remain in contact with.

The death remains unexplained, and enquiries into what occurred prior to Peter's death are ongoing. The community is urged to come forward with any relevant information that may assist in the case.

Statement from the family of Peter Miller:

"We are devastated to have lost our brother, son, uncle, and friend Peter. His life had been wonderful and full of adventure, and there was so much more he had to offer his family and community. Our family asks that we are left in peace to grieve our loss so please direct any queries to the Police.”

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.