5pm: Update on roads affected by rain in Bay of Plenty

SH2 Katikati to Waihī: Scheduled to reopen by 10pm tonight. Please take care when travelling through.

SH2 Kaikokopu bridge at Maniatutu: Single lane open with traffic management and reduced speed in place. Monitoring continues during tide changes.

SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link: Single lane in both directions scheduled to open by 5.30pm with a temporary 30 km/h speed limit in place. Surface flooding is still present so please take care when travelling through. The road will be reassessed in the morning.

All other closures listed below remain in place overnight.

7.30am Bay of Plenty roads affected by heavy overnight rain

Heavy overnight rain has caused flooding and several closures across the Bay of Plenty state highway network this morning, and drivers are urged to avoid any non-essential travel. If you must travel, check conditions before you go.

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 North Tauranga – Te Mania Bridge and Uretara to Tanners Point Road - open with a 30km/h temporary speed limit.

SH2 Katikati to Tauranga - Open for light vehicles only with detour on Wainui south/Esdaile Road.

SH2 Katikati to Waihī – Closed between Old Tauranga Road and Athenree Road, no available detour until Steele Road flooding recedes.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

SH2 Matatā straights (west of Matatā) – is now cleared and reopened.

SH2 south of Matatā – closed due to flooding and debris.

SH2 Pukehina –caution advised, likely to flood around 10am high tide. Possibility of a road closure.

SH2 and SH30 Awakeri – roads open.

SH2 Waimana Gorge – road open, small debris on sides of road.

SH35 – closure at Ōpōtiki (residents/emergency services only) until Tairawhiti CDEM advise road may be reopened 

Tauranga

SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link – all lanes closed between Sandhurst Interchange and Domain Road Interchange due to surface flooding.

Driving through flood water can be extremely dangerous. Just 15cm of water can sweep a person off their feet, and 30cm can carry away most vehicles. Motorists should be aware of branches and other debris they may not be able to see under the surface of flood waters.

People are asked to be mindful of contractors who could be out clearing hazards off the road, and drive slowly through work sites.