A stretch of State Highway 5 Napier-Taupō Road will be closing overnight in December for asphalting.

The road will close just north of Tarawera overnight on Saturday 13 December between 11pm and 5am.

The road will reopen at 5am on Sunday 14 December.

While doing this work overnight will minimise disruption, we’re asking drivers to plan their journey accordingly, as there is no viable detour.

Tarawera is approximately 100 km from Tāupo and almost 80 km from Napier. If you’re travelling, please allow approximately an hour and a half to get through the closure before 11pm.

Turnaround points will be in place for motorists at Caroline Drive in Taupō and the Glengarry Road/SH5 intersection in Hawke’s Bay with roadworkers at each point. 

During the closure period, residents and businesses will still have access to their properties.