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

January weather event response

2 February 2026

Community update 4

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 Monday 2 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 2 weeks of intensive work, crews cleared and stabilised significant slips and debris through SH2 Waioweka Gorge in an attempt to enable controlled access.

After tireless efforts re-establish this vital connection between Ōpōtiki (Eastern Bay of Plenty) and Matawai (Tairāwhiti), further material has fallen from the largest site – the Goldsmith slip, making it unsafe to allow convoy traffic through.

The scale of the task has been immense. Crews have been clearing massive slips, blocked culverts and widespread debris across 40 sites, including 8 sites with severe damage.

While the delay is disappointing for everyone involved, it’s clear that more material needs to come down before it is safe to proceed.

Restoring access is important, but doing so safely is critical. This is a vulnerable route, and safety remains our top priority.

The next step is to safely remove the remaining loose material to restore conditions to a level that will allow a controlled opening.

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

The Goldsmith site following today's slip

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. There are multiple underslips and overslips in this section. This area remains under the control of CDEM. Work on a major underslip that needs a retreat (realignment) into the hillside to allow access to be restored is continuing. (see photos below)

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

Over the next 24 hours, a 50 tonne machine will be moved to the Hicks Bay underslip.

During this time, there will be no access between the Hicks Bay/Wharf Road intersection and the Punakuru slip.
This work is essential to repair an underslip on the Hicks Bay side of SH35 and will support the ongoing recovery and reopening of this section of the highway.

Pōtaka to Hicks Bay

Culvert erosion

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.

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 to repair underslips and minor scouring. 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.