Crews are also clearing fallen trees and other debris on the highway in the Hundalee Hills area.
Rock placement work underway on SH1 in to repair sections of road eaten away by floodwaters south of Kaikōura. Photo / Waka Kotahi.
NZTA said it will provide further updates tomorrow on when the affected section of the highway will reopen.
“People should be aware that when the reopening does happen, it may be done in a staged way, with some initial restrictions to ensure road users are kept safe,” the agency said in a statement.
Travellers moving through the area are able to take a detour via State Highways 7, 65, 6 and 63, which are open.
Meanwhile, road users are being warned about ongoing severe frosts and icy conditions in inland areas of the South Island through to Monday.
Crashes were reported from the Mackenzie Basin this morning, which is forecast to hit a low of -10C.
Hoar frosts, freezing fog and black ice are likely to affect State Highways 8 and 80.
People are being asked to take extra care when travelling on these roads, and to consider avoiding travel at night and early morning when the ice risk is highest.