HAZMAT ALERT: SH36 Closed North of Rotorua Following Major Truck Crash
By Lions Roar News Traffic Desk
ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND (Friday, January 16, 2026) — A serious truck crash has forced the total closure of State Highway 36 north of Rotorua this morning, following a significant spill of hazardous materials across the roadway.
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) issued an emergency alert shortly after 7:25 AM, warning motorists to avoid the area as specialized cleanup crews and emergency services attend to the scene.
📍 Location and Extent of Closure
The highway is currently blocked in both directions. The specific closure points are:
- Between Te Matai Road and Kaharoa Road.
The NZTA has confirmed that the closure is necessary due to the volatile nature of the hazardous materials involved in the spill. It is currently unclear exactly what substance was being transported, but the risk to public safety and the environment has necessitated a full exclusion zone.
🚗 Detours and Travel Delays
Motorists traveling between Rotorua and Tauranga are advised to use alternative routes.
- State Highway 33 (via Paengaroa) is the primary detour for heavy vehicles and commuters.
- Expect significant delays and increased traffic volume on detour routes throughout the morning.
Emergency services have not yet provided a timeframe for when the road will reopen, as the decontamination process must be completed before the wreckage can be cleared.
⚠️ Safety Warning
Residents in the immediate vicinity of the spill are advised to keep windows closed if they smell unusual odors and to follow all instructions from first responders on-site.
