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

January weather event response

3 February 2026

Community update 5

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 this week, 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 4.30pm Tuesday 3 February 2026.

Current situation

• SH2 Waioweka Gorge on State Highway 2 between Ōpōtiki (Eastern Bay of Plenty) and Matawai (Tairāwhiti) remains closed.
• SH35 Pōtaka to Te Araroa remains closed. 
• SH35 Ōpōtiki to Pōtaka is open
• SH35 Te Araroa to Tikitiki is open
• The only detour route open is SH2 Gisborne to Napier/SH5 Napier to Taupō. 

State Highway 2 Waioweka Gorge

Following yesterday’s setback, the largest slip on SH2, the Goldsmith slip, remains unstable. More material needs to come down before it is safe to proceed with restoring controlled access.

We understand how important this connection is for the community. However, restoring access safely is critical. This is a vulnerable route, and safety continues to be our top priority.

Further geotechnical and safety assessments will be carried out today. Once these are completed, clean‑up operations may be able to get underway. This is likely to involve additional helicopter sluicing to target loose material, subject to weather conditions and safety checks.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to manage this situation safely.

State Highway 35 Pōtaka to Tikitiki update

SH35 remains closed between Pōtaka and Te Araroa. Access has been restored between Te Araroa and Tikitiki.

Pōtaka to Te Araroa: The road is closed. There is still significant damage on this route, with access restricted.

Pōtaka to Hicks Bay: The road is closed. This area remains under the control of CDEM.  Rain affected operations yesterday and weather will determine work progress today. Access is restricted.

The map below highlights the key damage sites and current road closure status. The map will be updated as assessments are completed.

Pōtaka to Hicks Bay

This area remains under the control of CDEM. Rain affected operations today and weather will determine work progress. Access is restricted.

Heavy localised rain today has caused further deterioration in alarge underslip that needs realignment. Crews are working to move further away from the slip into the hillside.

Hicks Bay to Te Araroa

The road is closed. Works continue at Punaruku slip (the largest slip site). Work is progressing well but there is still a considerable amount to be done. Monitoring equipment will be installed at the slip site to further support the geotech information and allow work to continue safely

There is also a significant underslip south of Hicks Bay with extensive work required. It is too early to confirm when we will be able to share a reopening timeline.

Hicks Bay to Te Araroa

Stabilisation work is progressing well, and access across the Punaruku slip has now been established (see photo below). By this afternoon, four wheel drive access was expected to be available strictly for emergency services and lifeline crews. However wet weather and further movement at the slip means this is unlikely to happen today. Public access is still being developed as this is a very fragile and high-risk site. Wet weather made the site too dangerous to work on this morning. Crews started again as soon as they could safely.

Tikitiki to Te Araroa

The road is now open between Tikitiki and Te Araroa on SH35.

There are many sections where temporary stop/go and reduced speeds is in place.  Multiple crews are working along the state highway to repair underslips and minor scouring.

The photo below shows a site at Hospital Hill that you will have to travel past. So please take extreme care.

Community travel information

Community travel information
We encourage you to delay travel where possible or allow plenty of extra time if you are taking the long detour via SH2/SH5 via Hawke’s Bay. There is no detour via SH35.

If you have to travel, please do so with extreme caution and be alert for hazards including flooding, debris, newly formed potholes and fallen vegetation on the road.

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.

SH2 Waioweka Gorge remains closed

Detour status

SH2 Gisborne and Napier and SH5 Napier to Taupō is open. There are some stop/go traffic management sites along the journey – please follow all signage instructions and be patient.

SH35 closure from Pōtaka to Te Araroa remains in place.

Ngā mihi nui

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

Kia kaha, stay safe and thank you for supporting the teams working hard to reconnect Tairāwhiti and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.