FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | NOVEMBER 18, 2025
MAJOR RESILIENCE UPGRADE ANNOUNCED FOR SH6 AT EPITAPH SLIP
Westland District Council welcomes the next stage of resilience improvements on State Highway 6 (SH6) at the Epitaph Slip site near Knights Point, a project that strengthens one of the South Island’s most important transport corridors and safeguards long-term access for communities, freight operators, and visitors.
Today’s announcement marks a major milestone in what has been a long and complex journey to secure a safer, more resilient route through South Westland.
SH6 is a strategic freight and tourism corridor, connecting the West Coast with Otago and Southland and supporting travel between iconic destinations such as Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Wānaka, Queenstown, and Milford Sound. It is a vital route for freight, primary industries, emergency response, visitor movement, and the daily lives of West Coast communities. At the same time, it remains one of the most exposed stretches of highway in the country.
The resilience programme at Epitaph Slip provides greater certainty for the region and directly addresses one of the most persistent natural-hazard challenges on the network.
Westland District Council has been a strong advocate throughout this process, continually emphasising the urgent need to protect the only southern road link into and out of the district. Council also acknowledges Hon Simeon Brown, whose direction during his term as Minister of Transport helped accelerate attention on this critical section of the network following a visit to the Coast.
Mayor Helen Lash says the upgrade reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the region’s resilience and supporting the communities and industries that rely on SH6 every day.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Government for recognising the importance of this corridor to the South Island’s tourism network and wider economy.
This has taken a concerted effort between the Ministry, NZTA and myself over a number of years to reach this point.
Securing these works provides real confidence and security for the West Coast, ensuring our communities remain connected, our businesses can operate with certainty, and our region stays resilient well into the future.”
The improvements at Epitaph Slip form part of a wider programme to build long-term resilience across SH6. As climate impacts intensify, investment in safe and reliable infrastructure becomes increasingly essential for the region’s economic stability and community wellbeing.
Westland District Council will continue working closely with NZTA, central government, and local partners to progress long-term solutions and maintain a secure, accessible transport network for generations to come.
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For further information please contact:
Westland District Council: Communications@westlanddc.govt.nz