Ohakune is basking in the closure of Desert Road, as businesses are reaping the benefits of a detour. 

The Mountain Rocks Café & Bar owner Karl Christensen said his business hasn't been so busy since post-lockdown. 

"We've got this flow of traffic, nose to tail through town most of the time, and it's just blown us away really," he said.

Maintenance is projected to take two months.  

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