State Highway 35 update

State Highway 35 from Gisborne to Tikitiki has just reopened, as at 5pm.

Multiple traffic management crews have been deployed to safely reopen the road. A number of active sites are under stop/go temporary traffic management and temporary speed limits. 

Please take care when driving, and follow all traffic management crew instructions.

Further north, SH35 between Tikitiki and Pōtaka remains closed.

There are multiple slips over and under the road and part of the Mangawira Stream Bridge south of Te Araroa has been washed away. 

At this stage, we do not have a timeframe for opening this section of SH35. Crews are continuing to clean up slips and debris and technical experts will continue assessments tomorrow.

State Highway 2 update 

State Highway 2 north of Gisborne, between Ormond and Ōpōtiki, remains closed. Crews are also working to clear surface flooding and get that section of road reopened as quickly as possible.

Further south, SH2 between Gisborne and Napier remains open and SH5 Napier-Taupō Road has reopened this evening following a serious crash earlier.

Please continue to avoid unnecessary travel on the Tairāwhiti state highway network. If you’re on the road, take care, drive to the conditions, and keep an eye out for any further slips or flooding

While some parts of the network are open, we’re urging drivers to be alert to the possibility of more slips and flooding.

The next planned update will be tomorrow - in the meantime, keep up to date with NZTA Journey Planner.

1pm 

State Highway 35 between Tolaga Bay and Pōtaka remains closed following heavy flooding and multiple slips.

State Highway 2 north of Gisborne, between Ormond and Ōpōtiki remains closed, with many areas affected by surface flooding.

Crews have been assessing the state highway network throughout the morning. In addition to multiple slips and flooding, part of the Mangawira Stream Bridge south of Te Araroa has been washed away and there is flooding around Pōtaka.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is strongly advising people to avoid unnecessary travel.

While some parts of the network are open, we’re urging drivers to be alert to the possibility of more slips and flooding.

The next planned update will be later this afternoon – in the meantime, keep up to date with NZTA Journey Planner.

9.40am

State Highway has now reopened between Okitu and Tolaga Bay.

The road will remain closed from Tolaga Bay north to Pōtaka as crews continue to assess damage from slips, flooding and debris.

SH2 between Whatatutu and Matawai remains closed as does the highway through Waioweka Gorge through to Ōpōtiki.

While SH35 is reopening to Tolaga Bay, there are still numerous slips and debris, as well as surface flooding around – please avoid any unnecessary travel. If you have to drive, please do so with extreme caution and be alert for hazards.

The next planned update will be at midday – in the meantime, keep up to date with NZTA’s Journey Planner.

7am

State Highway 2 between Matawai and Whatatutu remains closed following flooding and rockfall late last night. 

State Highway 35 between Okitu and Pōtaka remains closed until crews have had a chance to assess the road at 7am.

Please delay your journeys and avoid the area.

Heavy and persistent rainfall has made the ground surrounding the region’s state highways sodden. Please be alert to the possibility of further flooding, slips, debris in other parts of the state highway network.

SH2 between Matawai and Ōpōtiki remains closed.

Tolaga Bay and further north remains under a red heavy rain warning until 9am today; south of Tolaga Bay, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay remain under an orange warning until 10am.

In Hawke’s Bay, the state highways remain open, however drivers in the region are urged to take care and be aware of the possibility of slips or debris.

It’s really important people drive to the conditions, and adjust your speed; turn your headlights on and adjust your following distance when you need to. 

If you are traveling the network, please adhere to any temporary traffic management or speed restrictions that may be in place. 

Keep up to date on the NZTA Journey Planner.