UPDATE: Road closures

Whangarei District Council contractors are out on the District's roads checking for damage, slips, fallen trees, flooding and washouts.

Ngunuru Road, Whananaki North Road, Pataua North, Kokopu Block Road, Helena Bay Hill and Russell Road (coastal) are now open.

State Highway One at Whakapara is still closed, but diversions are in place.

Debris is being cleared and the list of closed roads will be updated over the course of the day.

River levels have passed their peak but are expected to fluctuate during the day. High tide at Whangarei was 7am.

Drivers are warned to take great care on the roads as conditions may have changed over night.

Roads that were clear may be blocked or flooded, stock may be loose, and roads may be greasy with clay and gravel.

Don't enter flood waters they may be covering holes or debris.

Check the Whangarei District Council Website www.wdc.govt.nz or Northland Regional Council website www.nrc.govt.nz for more information and listen to the radio, in particular MoreFM or Newstalk ZB.

Even if a road is listed as passable here, people should proceed with extreme caution. If in any doubt, turn back.

The following roads remain reported closed but are being inspected this morning:

SH1 Whakapara (diversions in place)

Draffin Road

Codlin Road

Kerehunga Road

Whananaki South Road

Mangakahia Road at Ruddells Flat

Opouteke Road

Otonga Road

Peach Orchard Road

Council will be checking the level of flooding on the following roads this morning:

Matipo Place

Russell Rd (Punaruku)

Western Hill Drv ( intersection of Selwyn Ave) down to one lane

Riverside Drv ( intersection with Memorial Drv ) down to one lane

Vinegar Hill road ( intersection with Balmoral Rd )

Kokopu Block Rd

Pigs Head Rd ( intersection with Kaiikanui Rd )

Cotton Rd

Mine Rd

Mangahui Rd

Whareora Rd

Solomon's Pt Rd

Glendale Rd

Otuhiwai Cres

Mangahui Rd

There are trees or slips on the following roads:

Russell Rd (Helena Bay Hill)

Kaiatea Road

Springs Flat

Pataua South Rd Slip

Kamo Rd Slip