Rainbow Road was built during the 1950s when a high-voltage power transmission line was built to supply the Nelson Region and Buller District with electricity . After the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake closed State Highway 1 along the Kaikoura Coast , the idea was mooted to upgrade Rainbow Road as an inland state highway alternative , but nothing came of this
2016 Kaikoura earthquake
2016 Kaikoura earthquake
Rainbow Road (New Zealand)