Govt Advances Major South Island Road Resilience Projects to Protect SH6

One of the largest and most critical projects in this programme—the State Highway 6 (SH6) Epitaph Landslide Resilience Improvements—has taken a major step forward.

The Government is moving forward with a significant pipeline of roading resilience projects across the South Island, aiming to safeguard key transport routes relied upon by communities, freight operators, and the tourism sector. South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager says the work reflects a long-term commitment to protecting vital infrastructure from natural hazards and improving reliability for regional travel.

One of the largest and most critical projects in this programme—the State Highway 6 (SH6) Epitaph Landslide Resilience Improvements—has taken a major step forward. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has endorsed the project’s investment case and approved $7 million in funding to progress detailed design, geotechnical work, and consenting.

Securing a Key South Island Corridor

SH6 is one of the South Island’s most strategically important highways, linking the West Coast with Otago and Southland. It is used by thousands of travellers each year, including freight carriers, domestic travellers, and international tourists accessing major destinations such as Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Queenstown, and Milford Sound.

However, SH6 is also highly vulnerable to severe weather and geological risks—including slips, landslides, rockfall, and flooding. The Epitaph Slip site near Knights Point has long been recognised as one of the most at-risk segments, with erosion and unstable terrain posing ongoing safety and reliability concerns.

Project Details: Realignment and Rock Stabilisation

The recommended resilience solution involves realigning the highway inland, moving it further from the unstable cliff edge. This realignment is paired with large-scale rock stabilisation efforts:

• Removing unstable material above the roadway

• Benching the rockface to reduce slope failure risks

• Constructing a temporary haul road to enable machinery and workers to safely access the site

These engineering steps are expected to provide a long-term stability solution for the corridor. Early project work is already underway, with geotechnical investigations and environmental planning progressing ahead of future construction approval.

The estimated construction cost sits between $102 million and $123 million, with the project slated for consideration in the 2027–2030 National Land Transport Programme.

Regional Advocacy and Importance

Minister Meager highlighted the importance of regional leadership in pushing the project forward. He recently visited the site with West Coast–Tasman MP Maureen Pugh, who he credited—alongside Westland Mayor Helen Lash—for strong ongoing advocacy.

“I’ve seen with my own eyes how vitally important this project is for the South Island,” Meager said. “This work will support safer travel, protect economic activity, and give communities more certainty during severe weather events.”

Part of a Larger Resilience Programme

The Epitaph Slip improvements form part of a broader Government focus on strengthening six major South Island transport corridors. As part of this programme:

• $13.4 million is currently being invested in design and consenting

• $12 million has already been committed specifically to construction work within the wider resilience package

• An additional $90 million is expected to be sought once design work for multiple corridors is complete

These investments underline the Government’s intention to future-proof roading networks amid rising climate risks and increased pressure on freight and tourism infrastructure.

Maintaining Lifelines for South Island Communities

Meager stressed that state highways are essential lifelines—connecting remote towns, supporting supply chains, and enabling emergency services to reach isolated communities during storms or disasters.

“This is a great example of Government listening to what our regions need,” he said. “These resilience projects will improve local connectivity, support regional growth, and help sustain jobs while strengthening the transport corridors that keep the South Island moving.”

Further updates from NZTA and the Crown Resilience Programme are expected over the coming months as planning advances and additional corridors progress toward delivery.