NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is closely monitoring the upcoming weather system and receiving regular updates from MetService. 

With a short, localised downpour forecast this afternoon, today’s 5pm and 7pm convoys through SH2 Waioweka Gorge have been cancelled. 

Four convoys will run tomorrow morning (schedule below), before the road is closed through the weekend, due to Metservice issuing an orange heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tolaga Bay.

Convoys tomorrow (Friday 13 February) will continue at the below scheduled times: 

• Gisborne bound – start point: Goldsmith Reserve. Departing at: 7.00am, 11.00am
• Ōpōtiki bound – start point: Matawai (Te Wera Road intersection). Departing at: 9.00am, 1.00pm

State Highway 35 will also be closed from Pōtaka at Lottin Point Road south to Mangaowira Stream bridge to ensure the safety of all road users and crew members. Over the past few days, there have been some essential and lifeline service convoys taking place through the closures. However these will be cancelled over the weekend (from 6pm tomorrow night – Friday 13 February).

A safety inspection will take place on Sunday (15 February) to assess the condition of the road when it is safe to do so before further decisions are made.

If you’re travelling in other parts of SH35 during the weekend, please take extreme care. These parts of the road have also seen large volumes of water recently, so please drive to the conditions and be alert.

People should only travel if they must and be prepared for the road to close at short notice if weather conditions or risk assessments change. 

With further bad weather on the way its 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 and weather updates from MetService.