Highway opening breathes new life into Kaikōura

For the first time in more than 13 months , traffic is moving tonight on State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura.

The long wait in the hot summer sun was worthwhile for the hundreds of people waiting in line.

At dawn on Friday morning - at Half Moon Bay, where the famous Nins Bins crayfish caravan sat - a poignant ceremony rang out, marking the special occasion.

A hundred people involved in the project gathered for the moving blessing - and the crayfish sandwiches.

The 20km section of road north of Kaikōura has been cut off since the giant 7.8 earthquake in November last year.

A million cubic metres of material has been moved from 10 giant slips that blocked the highway.

About 1700 contractors have been on the tools, building three kilometres of new seawalls along the foreshore and fitting a 144m-long bridge

As a sign of progress, tonight, the first cruise ship since the quake arrived off the coast.

"We are anxious to see how the earthquake has affected the area," said American tourist Joe Farrell, "It looks like these rocks, I'm not sure if they are the earthquake or not, but that is what we came to see."

The tourist town, famous for its whales and sealife, is now relieved that finally they are back in business and the road is open.

"Even a week ago, before this was completed, we thought that isn't going to be finished in time," said Destination Kaikōura general manager Glenn Ormsby. "But it is finished, it is open and it looks wonderful."

Tonight's road opening is just boost the community needs, with Christmas and the holiday season around the corner.

Newshub.