NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has been issuing regular updates and is also notifying the road closure on electronic billboards in Central Otago.
However, Haast locals say some tourists have misunderstood when NZTA says "next update 5pm" to mean State Highway 6 is reopening at 5pm.
At the Haast River Motels, Tania Frisby said about 10 campervans arrived on Monday night.
"Some are struggling. They are hanging on those words ‘update’. They think it might open the next day."
Others thought they could get south to Jackson Bay, but that road was also closed due to slips.
Authorities were doing the best they could to fix the roads, and motorists had to be patient, she said — "And pray there’s money there to get it fixed."
At the glaciers yesterday, some businesses were advertising "road closure specials" for locals.
Westland District Mayor Helen Lash said contractors were able to drive over the Jackson Bay Rd slips in a 4WD vehicle.
"There are two massive slides and it is a mess."
Even if the road did reopen this week, work clearing the debris would still continue next week.
Meanwhile, the Westland District Council was looking at sending building inspectors in from the Queenstown Lakes District Council, rather than its own staff from Hokitika driving the long way around over Arthur’s Pass, to check flood-hit homes at Hannahs Clearing and Okuru.
The Department of Conservation and Land Information New Zealand were also involved in helping restore access to Whakapohai, where a handful of homes were cut off after the road washed away, Mrs Lash said. — Greymouth Star
