UPDATE: 6pm, 30 January 2026 - State Highway 35 (SH35) now open at Ōpōtiki

This evening, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reopened State Highway 35 at Ōpōtiki after Goring Street. People can now travel between Ōpōtiki and Pōtaka.

SH35 from Pōtaka through to Te Araroa (south of Taurangakoau Bridge) remains closed.

People travelling up the East Coast are asked to take care and to be mindful of contractors who could be out working on the road. Please drive slowly through work sites.

As SH2 at Waioweka Gorge also remains closed, road users wanting to get from the Eastern Bay of Plenty through to Gisborne will need to travel via SH30, SH5 and then north on SH2.

State Highway 35 from Ōpōtiki through to Whangaparaoa is closed to the public. 24/7 access remains in place for residents, emergency vehicles and local deliveries.

SH35 from Pōtaka through to Te Araroa (south of Taurangakoau Bridge) remains closed.

A number of road users have been trying to get around SH35 through to Gisborne, only to be turned around at Pōtaka. The closure from Ōpōtiki will help to avoid unnecessary travel and delays to these road users.

As SH2 at Waioweka Gorge also remains closed, road users wanting to get from the Eastern Bay of Plenty through to Gisborne will need to travel via SH30, SH5 and then north on SH2.

More information on the closures on the Tairawhiti side of SH35 can be found in this latest update:

Tairāwhiti/Gisborne state highway update - 21–22 January 2026 weather event(external link)