Update 5 June:

On Monday (1 June), SH2 through Waioweka Gorge was closed after an orange heavy rain warning was issued for the area. The closure remained in place until Wednesday (3 June) while geotechnical assessments and road sweeping were carried out to ensure the road could safely open. 

The Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) is in place for the Waioweka Gorge as it helps us respond early if conditions change. Our monitoring includes rainfall and on-site visual checks, and if safety thresholds are reached, we may need to change access or close the road at short notice to keep people safe.

Following the closure earlier this week, we reviewed how the Gorge performed and the safety thresholds that trigger the TARP, and we're making changes to keep the road open in more conditions. 

An orange severe weather warning will now trigger a watch, where NZTA crews carefully monitor conditions through the Gorge, paying close attention to known problem areas like the Goldsmith Slip. 

A red severe weather warning will still trigger a closure as this level of weather can heighten dangerous conditions through the Gorge. 

Road crews have been working incredibly hard over the last few months to repair damage and make the Gorge more resilient to weather events and this week was a good test. The Gorge came through that weather with only minor rock and debris fall, and no new major damage. That gives us greater confidence that the Gorge can remain open in less severe weather. 

While the closure was disruptive, it was the right call based on the forecast and the information available at the time. As the first significant weather event for a several months, it also gave us a chance to test how the Gorge responded. 

Orange heavy rain warning tonight 

An orange heavy rain warning has been issued by MetService for Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane, from 5pm today (Friday 5 June) to 3am tomorrow (Saturday 6 June). The Gorge will remain open, with additional monitoring in place.

If road conditions worsen, we may need to close the road at short notice to keep people safe. Even if conditions appear unchanged to people driving through, rainfall can quickly increase the risk through the Gorge, especially in winter.

Road users should remain vigilant, drive to the conditions and be prepared for conditions to change quickly. Plan ahead, allow extra time, and follow all signs and traffic management in place.

Check the latest updates before you travel(external link)

Night closure still scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday 6 June)

Despite the overnight forecast we are still expecting to begin critical work to stabilise the Goldsmith Slip this weekend.

The Gorge will be closed on Saturday 6 June, from 9pm to 5am. A one-hour window from 1am to 2am will allow freight through.

This work is weather dependent and may need to shift to our contingency day of Sunday 7 June.

Crew will inspect the worksite tomorrow morning and confirm the timing of the work by midday Saturday 6 June.

Night closures and daytime stop/go traffic management are needed so a large crane can carry out drilling and installation work for a rockfall attenuator - a large steel net which is designed to contain falling rock and debris before it reaches the road.

SH35 to pre-emptively close at Punaruku slip site from tonight 

State Highway 35 at the Punaruku slip site, between Wharekahika/Hicks Bay and Te Araroa in Gisborne, will close pre-emptively from 10pm tonight (Friday 5 June) through to 8am tomorrow (Saturday 6 June), subject to a final site inspection and weather conditions.

The decision follows significant rainfall this week and forecasts of intense rain in the early hours of Saturday morning, which is expected to meet or exceed the trigger levels for a road closure.  

The hillside remains in a fragile condition following the late January storm, and the combination of sodden ground conditions and further heavy rain increases the risk of additional movement at the site.

A site inspection will be carried out at first light on Saturday, with an update on the road status expected by 8am.

2 June:

Some rockfall has occurred overnight and the Orange Heavy Rain Warning is in place until 3pm today. 

NZTA will fully inspect and clear the road as soon as it's safe to do so and will notify the public when it's able to be opened.

This updates the bulletin below.

SH2 Waioweka Gorge closing as a precaution – 6pm tonight:

With an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for this evening, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has made the decision to proactively close State Highway 2 (SH2) Waioweka Gorge from 6pm tonight, Monday 1 June, until further notice. The route is especially vulnerable in poor weather.

Closure points for the Waioweka Gorge at 6pm tonight:

• The Ōpōtiki closure point will be Waioeka Pa Road.
• The second closure (Gisborne side) will be at Opato.

These locations also have plenty of turn around space.

Emergency services and residential lifelines will be navigated through the event when safe and appropriate.

The road will be reassessed as soon as possible in the morning, depending on the conditions and whether clearance work is needed before considering reopening.

Check Journey Planner or Facebook before you travel:

• Journey Planner - Highway conditions(external link)
• Facebook - Waikato and Bay of Plenty(external link)

Report any issues on the state highways to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) or call 111 if urgent.