Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Resurfacing works will see State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills fully close for two 4-day ‘super weekends’ next month, ensuring the route is in peak condition ahead of the busy summer season.
It’s the final stage of the SH1 Brynderwyn Hills recovery project, and involves applying a full-width asphalt surface, reinstating lane markings and passing lanes, and returning the route to 80km/h, making journeys to and from Northland smoother.
The route will be fully closed from 13 – 16 November and again from 20 – 23 November. In between the closures, the road will reopen for 3 days (17 November – 19 November).
“NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) appreciates that SH1 Brynderwyn Hills is a crucial connection for Northland. While there’s no perfect time for a closure, the selected dates and approach has been carefully considered to balance the impact on the community while ensuring we can do an efficient and quality job,” says Steve Matene, NZTA’s System Manager in Northland.
Paving in Spring means the team can take advantage of dryer warmer conditions, while condensing the work into two 4-day super weekends avoids extending disruption over multiple months.
“The decision to fully close the road has been made with freight and the community in mind. If we’d chosen to use stop/go traffic management, the works would’ve taken 12–14 weeks. Compare that to a full closure, which allows work to be completed in 6–8 days.
“NZTA contractors will have crews working 24/4 during the closures and are putting 75% of their Auckland & Northland paving crews on this as a top priority to complete these works as efficiently and quickly as possible,” Mr Matene says.
Schedule for the resurfacing works
| Stage | Timing | SH1 status |
|
First ‘super weekend’ |
Thurs 13 (12.01 am) – Sun 16 November 2025 (11.59 pm) |
Closed in both directions – three detours in place |
|
In between the two super weekends |
Mon 17 November (12.01 am) – Wed 19 November (11.59 pm) |
Open in both directions for 3 days |
|
Second ‘super weekend’ |
Thurs 20 (12.01 am) – Sun 23 November 2025 (11.59 pm) |
Closed in both directions – three detours in place |
Paul Linton, from regional economic development agency Northland Inc, says these works are an important step in keeping Northland connected and moving.
“Strong, reliable roading links with Auckland and the rest of the country are essential for our region’s growth – helping visitors reach us with ease and supporting the smooth flow of goods and services that drive our economy. Every visitor, every truck, and every trip contributes to Northland’s economic pulse.
“With these improvements in place ahead of summer, we’re ready to welcome guests, support local industries, and show that Northland is well and truly open for business.”
While SH1 over the Brynderwyn Hills will be closed during the super weekends, Northland will remain accessible via three scenic alternative routes. See map attached and below.
- Cove Road detour – light vehicles (trucks with trailers not permitted Mangawhai to Waipū)
- Paparoa Oakleigh Road detour – trucks and trucks with trailers up to 50MAX can use this route
- SH12 / SH14 detour – Over dimensional Heavy vehicles, High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV) should use this route.
The closure will extend from SH1/SH12 intersection on the south side of the Brynderwyn Hills through to the bottom of the hill on the north side (adjacent to Waipu Gorge Road). Clear signage will direct vehicles along the detour routes.
Night works will take place during the week prior to the first full closure, to prepare the road for the upcoming construction. These overnight works will involve stop/go traffic management, with minimal delays of around 5 minutes expected.
The enabling works are scheduled for 8pm Wednesday 5 November – 5am Thursday 6 November with a contingency of 8pm Sunday 9 November to 5am Monday 10 November if required.
Before travelling, check out the State Highway travel information on our Journey Planner website.
