Inland route to Kaikoura reopens after rain

The inland route to Kaikoura has reopened after rain forced its closure on Thursday.

NZ Transport Agency said Route 70 to Kaikoura via Waiau and Mt Lyford reopened on Friday morning.

It said a decision whether it would be closed overnight would be assessed at noon.

The Mason River, which is alongside the inland route, flowed at 151 cubic metres of water per second on Thursday. By Friday morning it was back down to 11cumecs.

State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura is likely to remain closed after five mud and rocks slides swept onto the road, said the NZ Transport Agency.

NZTA spokeswoman said abseilers are removing loose rock south of the Conway River and a stop/go operation will be in place on that part of the road.