Tairāwhiti/Gisborne, northern Hawke's Bay & Eastern Bay of Plenty combined state highway update

Weather event response

15 February 2026

Community update 14

Kia ora koutou,

Today’s community update covers the latest on the state highway network in Tairāwhiti, Eastern Bay of Plenty, and northern Hawke’s Bay. With a lot happening along the east coast, tonight’s update also includes northern Hawke's Bay.

Specifically, we’re sharing the latest updates on:

• State Highway 2 (SH2) Waioweka Gorge
• State Highway 35 (SH35) Pōtaka to Te Araroa
• SH2 Gisborne to Napier

Before we provide today’s update, please know that we don’t take the decision to close state highways or cancel convoys lightly. However, safety is the top priority, especially for local communities, our roadworkers and everyone using the roads.

If you're travelling tonight and tomorrow, please drive with extra care and make sure to check Journey Planner or Facebook before you go for the most up-to-date state highway conditions.

Please be aware that things can change quickly due to weather or other unexpected issues.

Information is current as at 6pm Sunday 15 February

Weather update

The latest MetService updates for Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and northern Hawke’s Bay:

• Gisborne/Tairawhiti about and north of Poverty Bay: Strong Wind Warning – Orange from midnight Sunday 15 February until 7am Monday 16 February (7hrs).
• Gisborne/Tairawhiti south of Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, and Taihape about and east of State Highway 1: Strong Wind Warning – Orange from 5pm Sunday 15 February until 7am Monday 16 February (14hrs).
• Gisborne/Tairawhiti south of Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay about and east of Wairoa: Heavy Rain Warning – Orange from 2pm Sunday 15 February until 5am Monday 16 February (15hrs).

For more information and the latest updates for the east coast, visit https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home#east-north

Current situation

• SH2 Waioweka Gorge remains closed.
• SH35 Pōtaka to Taurangakoau Bridge, south of Te Araroa remains closed.
• SH35 Taurangakoau Bridge through to Gisborne is open.
• SH2 Gisborne to Matawai is open.
• SH35 Ōpōtiki to Pōtaka is open.
• The only detour route available is SH2 Gisborne to Napier/SH5 Napier to Taupō.
• SH2 Gisborne to Napier is open until 8pm tonight.
• SH2 Gisborne to Wairoa is closing from 8pm tonight until 7am tomorrow morning (Monday 16 February). This is a precautionary closure ahead of the severe weather forecasted overnight over this area. More details provided below or in this traffic bulletin.
• SH2 Wairoa to Napier is open.
• SH5 Napier to Taupō is open.

State Highway 2 Waioweka Gorge

The MetService has advised heavy downpours and overnight rain are expected through SH2 Waioweka Gorge Sunday evening into Monday morning.

To ensure safety of motorists and crews, Monday's morning’s convoys have been cancelled. Afternoon convoys will be to be advised after Geotech assessment of ground conditions on Monday morning and damage/clean up required.

CANCELLED: Gisborne bound – start point: Goldsmith Reserve. Departing at 7.00am, 11.00am

CANCELLED: Ōpōtiki bound – start point: Matawai (Te Wera Road intersection). Departing at 9.00am, 1.00pm

TO BE ADVISED: Gisborne bound – start point: Goldsmith Reserve. Departing at 5pm

TO BE ADVISED: Ōpōtiki bound – start point: Matawai (Te Wera Road intersection) Departing at 7pm.

Please check the NZTA Waikato and Bay of Plenty Facebook page for latest updates on the convoys.

Tairāwhiti update

Our routine patrols have been out across the state highway network throughout the morning and afternoon as the wet weather continues, with no major issues to report on both SH35 and SH2.

Safety and geotechnical teams also began their assessments today on SH35, and they will continue tomorrow.

We know this weather is unsettling, but please be reassured that our teams are actively monitoring conditions and will continue to keep a close eye on SH35 and SH2.

SH35 Pōtaka to Te Araroa

The road remains closed from Lottin Point Road, Pōtaka through to Taurangakoau Bridge, 3km south of Te Araroa.

It will remain closed until 6am tomorrow morning (MOnday 16 February) when the section from Te Araroa to Taurangakoau Bridge is planned to be reopened – restoring access between Te Araroa and Tikitiki.

The section between Te Araroa and Wharekahika/Hicks Bay will remain closed.

The section between Pōtaka to Wharekahika/Hicks Bay will remain closed. 

SH2 Gisborne to Napier

From 8pm tonight, SH2 between Wairoa and Gisborne will close ahead of the heavy rain and high winds expected overnight and early tomorrow morning. We have responded to some fallen trees, minor debris and slips already on this section today.

The closure will be in place from Te Uhi Pa Road, Wairoa through to Tiniroto Road (the Waipaoa roundabout), Gisborne.

The road will be closed from 8pm tonight, Sunday 15 February until 7am tomorrow, Monday 16 February, following safety inspections in the morning.

Gisborne residents will have access to their properties until just south of Maraetaha Road. Emergency services will be assisted through the closures if necessary.

We understand the importance of keeping SH2 open, as it is the only route in and out of Gisborne. We know it is disruptive and frustrating when the road has to close, and again, we don’t make this decision lightly.

Sections of SH2 through this area are prone to surface flooding and vulnerable to fallen trees, debris and slips during heavy rain and strong winds. These conditions can change quickly and create serious safety risks

The safety of everyone – people travelling, local communities, emergency services and our roadworkers – is our number one priority.

Community travel information

We encourage you to plan ahead, or delay your journey, if possible. With SH2 closing tonight between Wairoa and Gisborne, it means there is no route in or out of Gisborne until it reopens in the morning.

If you do need to travel on the roads, please drive with extra care and make sure to check Journey Planner or Facebook before you go for the latest state highway conditions.

Remember to switch on your headlights on, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards in these conditions.

If you see any issues on the state highways, report them to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

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.