NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advising drivers that due to predicted poor weather, overnight closures on State Highway 29 (SH29) Kaimai Range for rock scaling work at the Ruahihi Bluffs have been delayed. 

SH29 will now close from Sunday 7 December for five nights, so this work can be done. The closure times will also be shorter than previously communicated, between 8pm and 3:30am each night, reopening early Friday morning (12 December).

Depending on weather, some other overnight work on SH29 planned for next week may continue but will operate under single lane stop/go closures and the state highway will remain open.

The programmed work at Ruahihi will require five nights to complete and is weather sensitive. If unable to proceed for any of these nights due to rain, additional night closures will be needed, which we will publicise as early as possible so road users can plan ahead.

The closures from December 7 are necessary to complete urgent scaling works on the Ruahihi Bluffs near the Ruahihi Power Station. This work will involve abseilers working above the road to dislodge vegetation and rocks from the top and faces of the bluffs.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is taking full advantage of the closures to undertake other work at multiple sites along the highway. This includes structural asphalt rehabilitation, chipseal resurfacing, localised drainage works, road marking and surface repairs at numerous sites along the highway.

“We occasionally close SH29 for essential maintenance works. The full closures allow us to complete the work safety and efficiently - benefiting both road worker crews and road users,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager Sandra King.

SH29 plays a critical role in connecting New Zealand’s largest port with the wider Golden Triangle region. With approximately 14,000 vehicles, including thousands of heavy vehicles, using the road daily, maintaining it is essential for safety and accessibility.

“We’ve worked closely with freight operators and roading contractors to coordinate the best possible schedule for these closures. By confirming specific days and times, both road users and freight operators can plan ahead to minimise disruptions to themselves and their customers.”

The detours for this closure are significant and add considerable time to journeys. People are encouraged to check the NZTA Journey Planner and allow extra time for their journey, or if possible, delay travel over SH29 on these nights.

“We’d like to thank our stakeholders and partners for working with us on this. While disruptive in the short term, everyone will enjoy the benefits of having a more reliable and safer route over the Kaimai Range,” says Ms King.

Alternative routes:

• North: SH2 via Karangahake Gorge, SH24, SH27, SH26
• South: all vehicles: SH5, SH30, SH33, SH2 via Rotorua 
• South: light vehicles: SH5, SH36 via Rotorua 
• SH28 will be closed at the Harwood Rd/ SH5 intersection during this time.
  https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh5-tirau-to-tarukenga-safety-improvements(external link)

The closure points on the western (Waikato) side are at the SH29/24 and SH29/28 intersections and on the eastern (BOP) side at the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection.

Emergency services will have access at all times.

Residents will also be able to access their property from the relevant side of the closure.  However within the closure the state highway will be fully closed at Ruahihi and a number of other sites. These sites will open on the hour every hour each night to allow residents through.

In addition to the Kaimai closures, the summer maintenance programme begins at the end of September on the Bay of Plenty side of the Kaimai Range and will run through to May 2026. Five worksites are scheduled for rebuilding or resurfacing to ensure the route remains safe, reliable, and fit for purpose for all road users.

NZTA thanks everyone in advance for their patience and understanding as we carry out essential work on this critical route to ensure it remains safe and resilient.