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Waikato state highway maintenance programmeSaturday 28 February to Friday 6 March 2026 |
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27 February 2026 |
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Kia ora and welcomeTēnā koe and welcome to the Waikato state highway weekly roadworks update. While we recognise the amount of weather recovery work underway across the Coromandel network, this update provides business-as-usual maintenance and renewal roadworks on state highways across the mighty Waikato, from Huntly to Kāwhia to Waiouru - and everywhere in between. |
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SH1 Desert Road - crews doing the mahi Major maintenance milestone on T2WState Highway 1 (SH1) between Piarere and Waiouru was once the worst-performing part of the Waikato state highway network. An increase in basic maintenance activity was needed to simply retain its existing condition – and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi sought to go further, to better boost its overall standard and longevity. Facilitated by the Government’s $2.07 billion Pothole Prevention fund, one of the biggest maintenance and rehabilitation programmes to date is the Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance project (T2W), which began in September 2024 and is now putting pedal to the metal in its final season. On its road to success, T2W has used block road closures to improve efficiency, productivity, cost savings and safety. Marking a significant milestone, the last of its significant closures is currently underway on SH1 Desert Road. In the area known as the 3 Sisters, SH1 can’t safely accommodate people and machinery using stop/go traffic management, so asphalting is taking place under overnight road closures. They’ll truck along until early March, between 7pm and 6am on Sunday to Thursday nights (weather dependent). If you’re travelling on this route, you’ll need to follow the detour map and check Journey Planner for updates. You can read more on this work below. While we’re closing SH1 to maximise safety in this location, a new mini roadworker safety campaign is being fronted by T2W roadworkers Shontelle Wallace and Tai Ngatai to raise awareness of what road users can do when roads remain open during construction. More information |
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State highway maintenance and renewals updateState highways with scheduled works starting next week:
Roadworks may be postponed due to rain or other factors that disrupt the weekly schedule. Please be aware that there may be other less disruptive state highway works not listed in this newsletter. Check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest travel information and journey times before starting your journey: journeys.nzta.govt.nz |
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State Highways 2, 25, 27, 29 East Waikato
Lane closures remain on SH2 in the Karangahake Gorge and at 2 locations on SH25 on Kūaotunu Hill and Pumpkin Hill north of Tairua, as a result of damage caused by the January storms. There are more than 20 sites along SH25 and through the Karangahake Gorge needing significant repairs, and our recovery team is working at speed to design the repairs needed and prioritise the works. SH29 Hamilton to Tauranga: Due to the number of worksites on SH29 between Hinuera and Tauriko, please allow up to 20 minutes extra time for travel. Check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest travel information and journey times before starting your journey: journeys.nzta.govt.nz Work starting next week SH25 Whangamatā: Finishing works to the Moana Anu Anu Bridge on the outskirts of Whangamatā will see a short section of SH25 closed for 2 weeks from Monday 2 March. The deck on the bridge (also known as Wentworth Bridge) was replaced late last year, and contractors need to return to install guardrail ground beams and do some surfacing work. The closure and work hours are from 7am to 5pm. The road will reopen each evening. The detour is again using Port Road-Mayfair Avenue and Martyn Road and adds only a few minutes to journeys. SH27/Link Road, Waharoa: 2 nights of resurfacing will take place at night from Monday 2 March, between 8pm and 5am. There will be stop/go traffic management and a reduced speed limit in place. Delays are to be expected. SH2 Rosemont Road, Waihī: SH2 Rosemont Road will be closed for 2 nights for resurfacing from Wednesday 4 March between 8pm and 5am. There will be a detour via SH2, Kenny Street, Silverton Road, Consols Street and back to SH2. Work underway SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Crews will be working on the 3 sites at the western end of the gorge, where there is already a lane closure in place – this will be extended to accommodate these works. Lane closures will be needed at each site for the repairs to be done, so the work will be sequenced to minimise impacts on traffic. Completing all the repairs is expected to take up to 3 months, depending on weather conditions. Road users should expect lane closures and speed reductions through the gorge during this time. |
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State Highways 1, 1C, 3, 23, 29, 31 West WaikatoSH39 south of Pirongia: The road remains closed where the Mangati Bridge was severely damaged by floods in February. A detour is in place with freight urged to used SH3-SH1 options. A temporary single-lane bridge will be in position as early as mid-March. See more here. Work starting next week SH1 Cambridge Expressway: Major works on the Waikato Expressway between Cambridge and Tamahere on SH1 will start on Sunday 1 March with crews working 6 days a week to complete the work as efficiently as possible. Work will be completed in 6 separate 5km sections starting at the Southern Interchange near Tīrau Road. Lane closures will be in place 24/7, motorists should expect significant delays during peak travel times. More information SH1C Kahikatea Drive, Hamilton: Road resurfacing will start on Sunday 1 March taking 4 nights to complete between Alison Street and Tawa Drive. Crews will be working between 8pm and 5am each night, Sundays to Thursdays. There will be stop/go traffic management in place while the work is ongoing. Work starting soon SH1C Lorne Street, Hamilton: Road resurfacing will start on Sunday 15 March and take 3 nights to complete between SH3 Ōhaupō Road and SH1C Cobham Drive. Crews will be working between 8pm and 5am. There will be stop/go traffic management and lane closures in place. SH23 Massey Street, Hamilton: Resurfacing work will start on Massey Street on Sunday 8 March at night between 8pm and 5am each night. SH23, between SH1C Greenwood Street and Rifle Range Road will be closed to all through traffic while the work is taking place, with a detour available via Killarney Road. SH3 Ōtorohanga: Resurfacing work will start on Sunday March 8 for 4 nights, 8pm to 5am between Otewa Road and the Mangapu River Bridge. There will be stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit in place. Work underway SH1/SH29 Piarere intersection: Work to install streetlight ducting and poles continues with shoulder closures and a reduced speed limit in place as required on all approaches to the Piarere roundabout. From Monday 2 March for a week, there will be day works for resurfacing on a small section of SH29 (Tauranga leg of the roundabout), with stop/go and a reduced speed limit in place. Resurfacing will also take place on the former sections of SH1 and SH29 which are now resident access lanes. Access for residents will be maintained. These works are weather dependent, and if delayed, will be carried out on the next suitable shift. More information SH31 Kāwhia Road: Work has started near Te Rauamoa Road with tree and vegetation removal, to be followed by shoulder and drainage works and a road rebuild. The entire group of works will take 10 weeks to complete finishing towards the end of April. Stop/go traffic management will be in place 24/7 with a temporary speed limit while the work is ongoing. SH3 Te Mapara (between Piopio and Te Kūiti): Drainage works followed by a road rebuild have started and are expected to take 6 weeks. There will be stop/go traffic management in place along with speed restrictions from 7am to 7pm each day. The traffic management will remain in place overnight while the road rebuild is ongoing. Journey planner location |
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State Highways 1, 32, South WaikatoWork starting soon Taupō Event: ANZCO Foods Ironman New Zealand is taking place on Saturday 7 March. SH5 will be closed from 6am to 6pm between Wairakei and Reporoa as part of the cycle stage of the event. The alternative route for traffic between Taupō and Rotorua is via SH1 and SH30, through Ātiamuri and Horohoro. Broadlands Road as well as the Broadlands Road off-ramp onto East Taupō Arterial Road will be closed between 6am and 7pm. Cyclists training ahead of the event will be on the road so please drive with caution, reduce speed when approaching and passing cyclists and allow a minimum of 1.5 metres when overtaking. Work underway SH1 Lichfield: Bridge maintenance has started south of Lichfield near Fonterra and will continue until early March. There is stop/go traffic management in place 24/7 and delays are to be expected. SH32 Tihoi area: Until late April, Ventia will be doing maintenance on overhead powerlines, between Tihoi Mill Road and Whakamaru Road. There may be short periods of road closures to allow for cables to be hauled across the road. SH32 Whakamaru Road: Day works started Wednesday 28 January and will be ongoing for 5 weeks with completion due the first week of March. The work will take place between 6.30am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. There will be 2-way stop/go traffic management in place. |
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SH1 maintenance SH1 Tirau to Waiouru (T2W) accerlated maintenance projectT2W work is being ticked off at pace. There will be delays on SH1 that vary according to the work being carried out, so please allow extra time to complete your journey and keep an eye on Journey Planner for updates. Work starting soon
SH1 North of Putāruru: Beginning next week (Monday 2 March), 8 night shifts are required to complete the asphalting phase of the road rebuild at the SH1/SH28 Whites Road intersection north of Putāruru. This work will be completed from Monday to Thursday, between 7pm and 6am, under stop/go traffic management. SH1 East Taupō Arterial: On SH1 from the Wairakei roundabout to Centennial Drive, 3 nights of work under stop/go traffic management are planned for Sunday 8, Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 March, between 7pm and 6am. Outside of these hours, the road will remain open, with temporary speed limits in place. SH1 Taupō to Tūrangi: Overnight stop/go will be in place from mid- to late March to early April at the SH1/Kiko Road intersection, and from mid-April to early May on SH1 at Motuoapa. Work underway SH1 Motuoapa: Additional to the T2W work at the SH1/Kiko Road intersection, a road rebuild is progressing on a 650m section of SH1 through Motuoapa and is scheduled to continue until Thursday 5 March. Traffic management is in place 24/7, but work is only occurring from 6am till 7pm, with one lane open at all times and stop/go traffic management. A reduced speed environment, pedestrian restrictions and limited parking apply within the active work area. Significant delays are to be expected.
SH1 Desert Road: The work in the area known as the 3 Sisters is on track to be completed in early March. Overnight road closures remain in place on Sunday to Thursday nights, between 7pm and 6am. All north and southbound SH1 vehicles must follow the detour via SH41 Tūrangi, SH47, SH4, SH49 to Waiouru and vice versa. In the event of weather delays, shifts are rescheduled to the next suitable fine evening. In some cases, work may also go ahead on a Friday night to make up for a lost shift. |
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State Highways 1, 2 North WaikatoWork starting next week SH1 Nikau Road to Bombay interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Wednesday 4 March between 9pm and 5am for maintenance. Motorists will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. SH2: Stop/go traffic management will be in place for the following closures between 9pm and 5am. Please follow traffic management directions and stop when asked. Between Mcpherson Road and Irish Road, Mangatāwhiri, on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 March Between Dobson Road and Mangatawhiri Road, Mangatāwhiri, from Sunday 1 to Thursday 5 March Between Steen Road and SH25 roundabout, Mangatarata, from Sunday 1 to Thursday 5 March Between Coalfields Road and Maramarua township on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 March |
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Waikato summer renewals mapThe map below indicates worksites which may inpact your journeys this summer maintenance season. |
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More information |
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For more information on the Waikato state highway maintenance programme, contact us at waikatomaintenance@nzta.govt.nz Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/waikato-maintenance View our state highway maintenance frequently asked questions. For information about what’s happening with other infrastructure projects across the region please visit Waikato projects website |
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