State Highway 1 blocked at Karapiro after large tree falls

A fallen tree is blocking part of State Highway 1 in Waikato.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand staff are using chainsaws to remove the tree, a spokesperson said.

The blockage at Karapiro, just north of the township, was reported to police about 11.35am.

Traffic is backed up from Cambridge and the road is expected to be closed for several hours while the tree is cleared, police said.

Fire and Emergency attended the scene.

“There was a tree down, so we were assisting with chainsaws,” a spokesperson said.

NZTA detour after tree fall at State Highway 1, Karapiro.

“We’ve just left the incident with police with one lane open.”

A New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi post on Facebook said the road was closed near Hydro Rd.

“Delay your journey, avoid the area, or expect diversions and delays.”

Police said there was a cordon in place at the SH1 intersection with SH27.

Motorists are asked to delay travel if possible and follow posted diversions.

Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.