New Zealand State Highway 70

80px State Highway 70
Route information
Maintained by Kaikoura District Council Hurunui District Council
Tourist routes:	Alpine Pacific Triangle
Major junctions
North end:	SH 1 south of Kaikoura
South end:	SH 7 north of Culverden
Location
Primary destinations:	Mt Lyford, Waiau, Rotherham
Highway system
New Zealand state highways Motorways and expressways List Unused ← x20px SH 69 SH 71 x20px →

State Highway 70 is a former state highway, now a provincial highway, that ran from just south of Kaikoura to just north of Culverden via Waiau and Rotherham. White shields are used to signify this highway. It forms part of the Alpine Pacific Triangle tourist route. It also serves as an alternative inland route in cases where SH 1 is closed near the South Kaikoura Coast.

History

The highway lost its state highway status because of the lack of traffic using it. In 1991 the section from Waiau to Kaikoura was revoked. Before revocation approximately 30km of highway was unsealed, however this has since been sealed by the two district councils who maintain it. The remainder of SH 70 was revoked in 2004. Because of its scenic qualities it is now noted as one of the must drive roads in New Zealand. The road in parts is narrow, unsealed and winds through steep hill country.

Route

The highway runs inland on the Inland Kaikoura Road from SH 1 just south of Kaikoura. It then turns south west running almost parallel to SH 1 in an adjacent valley. Passing over the Conway River the road becomes the Inland Road. It continues south, passing the intersection with Mt Lyford Forrest Drive and going through the small townships of Waiau and Rotherham, before ending at the junction of Rotherham Point Road and SH 7's Mouse Point Road just north of Culverden.

Major intersections

Territorial authority	Location	km	Destinations	Notes
Kaikoura District	Kaikoura	0	SH 1 north Kaikoura	Highway 70 begins Commences as Inland-Kaikoura Road just south of Kaikoura across the Kowhai River bridge
			SH 1 south Cheviot, Christchurch
Hurunui District	Lyford		Conway River Inland Kaikoura Road ends and Inland Road begins
			Mt Lyford (Mt Lyford Forest Drive Road)
	Waiau		Inland Road becomes Leslie Street
			Lyndon Street (east)	To SH 1 at Parnassus via Leader Road
			Highway 70 turns right from Leslie Street into Lyndon Street (west)
			Lyndon Street becomes Rotherham Road North
	Rotherham		Rotherham Road North becomes George Street
			George Street becomes Rotherham Road South
			Flintoft Mouse Point Road	Shortcut to SH 7 and Hanmer Springs
	Culverden		SH 7 north (Mouse Point Road) Hanmer Springs, Lewis Pass	Highway 70 ends
			SH 7 south (Mouse Point Road) Culverden, Christchurch

See also

• List of New Zealand state highways