Tairāwhiti/Gisborne & Eastern Bay of Plenty combined state highway update

January weather event response

12 February 2026

Community update 12

Kia ora koutou,

This is an update on the state highway network in Tairāwhiti and the Eastern Bay of Plenty following the recent weather event.

This update focuses specifically on the latest emergency response information for State Highway 2 (SH2) Waioweka Gorge and State Highway 35 (SH35) between Pōtaka and Tikitiki.

If you're travelling on the state highways, please drive with extreme caution and check Journey Planner or Facebook before you go.

Please note that information in this update may shift at short notice due to weather or other unexpected factors.

Information current as at 3.30pm Thursday 12 February 2026.

Current situation

SH2 Waioweka Gorge, between Ōpōtiki (Eastern Bay of Plenty) and Matawai (Tairāwhiti), 5pm and 7pm convoys cancelled today (Thursday 12 February) and Friday 13 February. No convoys over the weekend. Keep an eye on NZTA social media for updates.

Be prepared for SH35 between Pōtaka at Lottin Point Road and Taurangakoau Bridge south of Te Araroa to close Friday 13 at 6pm to Monday 16 February at 6am.

Current Metservice forecasts show orange - heavy rain warning expected in the region over the coming weekend.

Because SH35 remains fragile and to manage safety of our contractors and road users we will be forced to fully close the road.

State Highway 2 Waioweka Gorge - convoy schedule changes

NZTA is closely monitoring the upcoming weather system and receiving regular updates from MetService. With wet weather forecast again this afternoon, today’s 5pm and 7pm convoys through the SH2 Waioweka Gorge have been cancelled.

Four convoys will run tomorrow morning (schedule below), before the road is closed through the weekend, due to Metservice issuing an orange heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki and Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tolaga Bay.

Convoys tomorrow (Friday 13 February) will continue at the below scheduled times:

• Gisborne bound – start point: Goldsmith Reserve. Departing at: 7.00am, 11.00am
• Ōpōtiki bound – start point: Matawai (Te Wera Road intersection). Departing at: 9.00am, 1.00pm

People should only travel if they must and be prepared for the road to close at short notice if weather conditions or risk assessments change. With further bad weather on the way it’s important people slow down, be patient and drive with care and to the conditions. The road is still a worksite and vulnerable – and drivers should not expect normal road conditions.

People should travel with extreme care, follow all instructions and be mindful of workers on the road. Stay informed by checking live state highway conditions on the NZTA Journey Planner and weather updates from MetService.

State Highway 35 Pōtaka to Tikitiki

The state highway will be closed from Pōtaka at Lottin Point Road to Taurangakoau Bridge south of Te Araroa Friday, and the closure may occur earlier if weather dictates.

Sunday our contractors will be conducting ongoing safety assessments and clean ups. If we can open convoys sooner than Monday, we will.

Note: Friday convoys between Pōtaka and Hoia will go ahead: Times listed below

A safety inspection will take place on Sunday 15 February to assess the condition of the road when it is safe to do so.

Safety is our first priority. We’re closing the road to protect people, our crews and our communities. We will adjust if the situation changes.

Piloted convoys for emergency services, lifeline services and residents only.
Closed from 6pm - Friday 13 February (Friday convoys times to proceed subject to weather)
Closed - Saturday 14 February
Closed - Sunday 15 February (safety assessments)
Convoys Open - Monday 16 February

Piloted convoys for emergency services, lifeline services and residents only.
Hoia to Pōtaka 7am
Pōtaka to Hoia 7.30am
Pōtaka to Hoia 4.30pm
Hoia to Pōtaka 5pm

Community travel information

We encourage you to delay travel where possible or allow plenty of extra time if you are taking a convoy through Waioweka Gorge, or the long detour via SH2/SH5 via Hawke’s Bay. There is no detour via SH35. Please note, there are also ongoing maintenance works on our network with stop/go temporary traffic management in place.

A reminder to please take care on SH2 Gisborne to Napier. There are some stop/go traffic management sites and single lane sites along this journey into Hawke’s Bay, including the priority give-way bridge at Waikare and a road rebuild near White Pine Bush – please be patient and allow extra time for the journey.

Report issues on the state highways to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Stay up to date on state highway conditions at NZTA’s Journey Planner.

Ngā mihi nui

Thank you for your patience while we work to restore access.

Thank you for supporting the teams working hard to reconnect Tairāwhiti and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.