Dramatic footage shows SH1 in Far North wash away

New footage shows just how fast a section of State Highway 1 in the Far North washed away last week.

Crews are racing to repair the big gap that's opened up in the road from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga, but stranded motorists did get some relief today with limited access on a private road.

Northlanders unable to head north of Pukenui are now being granted limited access through a private road.

Dramatic pictures show the sheer power of the torrent, with part of the road falling apart and locals retreating just in time.

This road is the only official route from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga.

Locals have been forced to use 90 Mile Beach - but on Monday, they were given a reprieve when a private road was opened for a short time in the morning and at night.

The road has become a busy worksite as the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) races to reopen it down to one lane.

"We're still on track at this point for mid-week, they'll have the culverts down today and they'll actually have it up to road level," NZTA Northland Jacqui Hori-Hoult said.

The closure is having a terrible effect on businesses in the far North, with many left frustrated the incident occurred at the end of a busy tourist season.

NZTA says it's helping where it can by assisting suppliers to move essentials across the gap.

"We were contacted by the community just about the concerns about those perishables. So our workers have actually stopped work to aid the delivery of those perishable goods this morning," Ms Hori-Hoult said.

The road is expected to be partially open by Wednesday.

Newshub.