Crews are out across the state highway network today working to clear slips, flood debris and culverts in the clean-up from Cyclone Vaianu.

Road users are urged to remain vigilant, drive to the conditions and expect to see some traffic management where contractors are working.

See the latest conditions below:

Bay of Plenty

SH30 Rotomā / Lake Ōkataina – now open.

SH30 Te Teko – Closed near Western Drain Road, with a tree blocking the highway. Scheduled to re-open this evening.

SH33 Rotorua to Paengaroa – Open. Expect stop/go traffic management in locations for tree and debris clearing.

SH35 Ōpōtiki to Gisborne – now open.

SH2/Matekerepu/Wainui Road roundabout to Ōpōtiki – Open.

SH2 White Pine Bush Road, Awakeri – Open, with crews clearing trees, drive with care.

SH2 Waioweka Gorge – Open. There are two sections where culverts are block with water flowing over the road, which are expected to be cleared later this afternoon. The public are urged to drive with caution. 

SH2 between Te Puna and Athenree Gorge, north of Tauranga – Monday to Thursday nightworks, expect stop/go operations while crew clear drains and complete storm works.

Update 10am, Monday

Crews are out across the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel state highway network today working to clear slips, flood debris and culverts in the clean-up from Cyclone Vaianu.

Road users are urged to remain vigilant, drive to the conditions and expect to see some traffic management where contractors are working.

See the latest conditions below:

Bay of Plenty

Crews have been out assessing the network clearing trees and debris as quickly and safely as they can. 

Outlined below are the latest closures and reopenings:

SH30 Rotomā / Lake Ōkataina – Closed from SH33/SH30 Te Ngae Junction and the intersection of SH30/SH34. Crews are clearing trees and slip debris. Scheduled to re-open by midday.

SH30 Te Teko – Closed near Western Drain Road, with a tree blocking the highway. Scheduled to re-open by midday.

SH33 Rotorua to Paengaroa – Open. Expect stop/go traffic management in locations for tree and debris clearing.

SH35 Ōpōtiki to Gisborne – Closed from Goring Street in Ōpōtiki to Hicks Bay. Residents and emergency services access only. 

SH2/Matekerepu/Wainui Road roundabout to Ōpōtiki – Open.

SH2 White Pine Bush Road, Awakeri – Open, with crews clearing trees, drive with care.

SH2 Waioweka Gorge – Open under convoy traffic until midday. This is due to small rocks on the road which may cause vehicle damage. 

SH2 between Te Puna and Athenree Gorge, north of Tauranga – Monday to Thursday nightworks, expect stop/go operations while crew clear drains and complete storm works. 

Coromandel

State Highway 25 on the Thames Coast Road at Kereta Hill remains closed today due to weather-related damage.

Subsidence occurred during yesterday heavy rain and geotechnical investigations today will dictate whether a temporary fix can be put in ahead of rebuild work.

The closure means traffic to and from the north of Kereta Hill needs to use SH25 via Whitianga.

Worksites where recovery work was ongoing after the January storm in the area continues, and road users can expect single lane/speed restrictions at Kūaotunu, Pumpkin Hill north of Tairua, and through the Karangahake Gorge on SH2.

Update 5pm, Sunday

Coromandel 

Flood waters are receding across the Coromandel and closed sections of State Highway 25 will reopen as it is safe to do so.

One of the last areas to reopen is likely to be at Hikuai. A watch remains on water levels through SH2 Karangahake Gorge.

Road users are urged to remain vigilant, drive to the conditions and expect to come across flood debris and speed restrictions.

Bay of Plenty

The below roads remain closed. From 7am Monday our crews will be on the network assessing sites, clearing trees and reopening roads as soon as it's safe to do so.

SH30 Rotomā / Lake Ōkataina – Closed from SH33/SH30 Te Ngae Junction and the intersection of SH30/SH34 due to fallen trees.

SH33 Rotorua to Paengaroa – Closed from SH33/SH30 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa due to fallen trees.

SH35 Ōpōtiki – Closed from Goring Street to Gow Road due to flooding.

SH35 Ōpōtiki to Gisborne – Closed from Goring Street in Ōpōtiki to Okitu, just north of Gisborne, due to fallen trees. Residents and emergency services access only.

SH2/Matekerepu/Wainui Road roundabout to Ōpōtiki – Closed due to multiple trees down.

SH2 Waioweka Gorge – Closed until 10am Monday.

Update 2:30pm

The latest state highway conditions can be checked on the Journey Planner, as well as real-time updates on Facebook(external link). 

Coromandel roads CLOSED:

SH25 Hikuai Settlement Road north to Wade Road - due to flooding in multiple locations. 

SH25 Manaia - due to flooding, the road is closed in both directions near Manaia.

SH25 Whakateke Bay – due to flooding, Whakatete Bay is closed between Thames North and Whakatete Bay.

Bay of Plenty roads CLOSED:

SH35 Ōpōtiki – Flooding on SH35, road closed in both directions between Gow Street and Goring Street. 

SH35 Ōpōtiki – Trees are down on SH35. A closure is in place at Gorring Street, Ōpōtiki. SH35 access for residents and emergency services only.

SH33 between Paengaroa and SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction, Rotorua – Many trees are down and blocking the state highway. The wind is making it too dangerous for crews to clear. At first light, crews will assess the road and advise when it’s safe to reopen.

SH30 between SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction, Rotorua and SH30/SH34 intersection Rotomā – Many trees are down and blocking the state highway. The wind is making it too dangerous for crews to clear. At first light, crews will assess the road and advise when it’s safe to reopen.

Bay of Plenty roads OPEN with caution:

SH29A Tauranga – Heavy and high‑sided vehicles are highly susceptible to the strong and gusty winds and encouraged to avoid travelling over SH29A Maungatapu Bridge in Tauranga.