Photo: SuppliedCars blocked by a slip in rural Taihape are now free after a local farmer cleared a path for them with his tractor. Watson previously said he understood it was a local farmer who raised the alarm, calling emergency services to report what he could see. Watson said some of the roads the cars took would normally only see "half a dozen" cars a day, he said. Many other local roads were also closed. Winiata Marae opens to stranded travellersAbout 80 people are sheltering at Winiata Marae, in Taihape, which has opened to stranded travellers.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 16, 2026 07:49 UTC