11:30am

Due to the risk of ongoing slips, the decision has been made to cancel all convoys for the rest of today through to and including the 1pm Ōpōtiki bound convoy tomorrow.

A safety inspection will take place tomorrow (18 February) to assess the condition of the road before any further convoys take place.

Decisions to cancel planned convoys are not taken lightly, as we know how critical this route is. However, the safety of our crews and everyone using this road is paramount.

People are urged to check the NZTA Waikato and Bay of Plenty Facebook page for the latest updates on the convoys.

facebook.com/nztawbop(external link)

17 February, 11am 

Another minor slip in the State Highway 2 Waioweka Gorge this morning has delayed the 9am Opotiki-bound convoy. Our crew is currently clearing the site and making it safe for the convoy to proceed. At this stage we are still planning on running convoys to schedule for the rest of today but the 11am Gisborne-bound convoy will be delayed.

This new slip illustrates the ongoing fragility of the road and highlights that convoys could get still cancelled at very short notice.

Convoys should be for essential travel only. Convoys will only proceed if it is safe to do so and crews will be monitoring continuously.

16 February, 1pm - Evening covoys through SH2 Waioweka Gorge to proceed

Rockfall is being cleared on SH2 Waioweka Gorge after overnight rain, with convoys set to resume today at 5pm for Gisborne bound traffic and 7pm for Ōpōtiki bound traffic.

The convoys are scheduled to operate as planned from tomorrow (Tuesday 17 February) until further notice:

• Gisborne bound – start point: Goldsmith Reserve. Departing at: 7am, 11am, 5pm
• Ōpōtiki bound – start point: Matawai (Te Wera Road intersection). Departing at: 9am, 1pm, 7pm

When the road reopens this evening for convoy, people should only travel if they must. Be prepared for the road to close at short notice if weather conditions or risk assessments change. It’s important people slow down, be patient and drive with care and to the conditions.

Stay informed by checking live state highway conditions on the NZTA Journey Planner

15 February -  More rain cancels covoys through SH2 Waioweka Gorge tomorrow 

MetService has advised heavy downpours and overnight rain is expected through SH2 Waioweka Gorge from tonight into tomorrow morning (Monday 16 February).

To ensure the safety of motorists and crews, tomorrow’s 7am, 9am, 11am and 1pm convoys have been cancelled. 

An update will be provided tomorrow following an assessment of the road for any required response work and whether it will be safe to run the evening convoys (5pm Gisborne bound and 7pm Ōpōtiki bound).

People are urged to check the NZTA Waikato and Bay of Plenty Facebook page for the latest updates on the convoys.

facebook.com/nztawbop(external link)

Heavy overnight rain and strong wind forecasts also mean State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Gisborne will close from 8pm tonight. At this stage, it is anticipated to be closed until 7am tomorrow morning.

Decisions to cancel planned convoys and close roads are not taken lightly, especially as SH2 is currently the only detour in and out of Gisborne. However the safety of local communities and everyone using these roads is paramount. 

When SH2 Waioweka Gorge reopens for convoys, people should only travel if they must. Be prepared for the road to close at short notice if weather conditions or risk assessments change. It’s important people slow down, be patient and drive with care and to the conditions.