Waikato state highway maintenance programme

Saturday 29 November to Friday 5 December 2025

28 November 2025

State highway maintenance and renewals update

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

Thames - Coromandel

State Highway 25 and State Highway 25A, road works and potential impacts to journeys.

Work underway

SH25 Whangamatā: Repairs to a bridge on the outskirts of Whangamatā mean a closure and short detour is now in place until about Tuesday 9 December. Urgent deck work is needed on the Moana Anu Anu Bridge (also known as the Wentworth Bridge) on SH25. The bridge closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and cyclists, on Wednesday 29 October. The closure runs 24/7. The detour through Whangamatā uses Mayfair Avenue and Martyn Road, due to council watermain works on the usual detour route via Port Road and Hetherington Road. The detour adds a few minutes to normal journey times.

West Waikato

Work underway

SH30 east of Bennydale (2 worksites): Two road rebuilds kicked off in November, the first started on Monday 3 November with drainage works, followed by a road rebuild with a completion date of Friday 5 December. The second worksite is underway with shoulder and drainage works taking 2 to 3 weeks, followed by the road rebuild taking 2 weeks - completion expected mid-December. There will be stop/go traffic management and a reduced speed limit on both work sites. Work will take place between 7am and 7pm each day with stop/go traffic management remaining in place overnight.

East Waikato

SH29 Hamilton to Tauranga: Due to the number of worksites on SH29 between lower Kaimai Range 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

South Waikato

Delays across SH5: People travelling along SH5 between Tīrau and Rotorua during October will encounter three seperate work sites - SH5/SH28 roundabout construction; road maintenance at SH5 near Waiohotu, and road rebuilding at SH5 Tārukenga. People should expect delays and plan ahead.

Work underway

SH1 Tokoroa to Ātiamuri: Stage 2 of night works started on Thursday 27 November. SH1 between the SH1/SH32 intersection the SH1/SH30 intersection is closed overnight between 7pm and 6am, Sunday to Thursday nights. The detour is via SH32, SH30 and back to SH1 at Ātiamuri and vice versa. This adds approximately 33.6km and 27 minutes to journey times.

SH5 east of Tīrau: Road widening between SH28 Whites Road and Waimakariri Road to allow for the installation of wide centrelines continues until Monday 15 December. Traffic is being managed through the site under speed restrictions with some stop/go. More information.

SH5/SH28 Harwoods Road: Construction of a roundabout at this intersection east of Tīrau is underway. Traffic is being managed through the site with speed restrictions but access in and out of SH28 at the worksite is now closed until Wednesday 17 December. There is a detour via SH27 and SH29. From 26 November, for about 10 days, there is stop/go on SH5 at a short section of road within the worksite. This runs 24/7. Traffic will be on the new roundabout in March 2026. More information.

SH1/SH5 Taupō: A Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre is under construction at the SH1/SH5 roundabout. The in-road weigh-in-motion scales on the 5 roads heading towards the safety centre have been installed. Work on camera technology and electronic sign boards is progressing. Work in the lanes has largely finished, apart from an occasional lane closure for a day, but continues on the road shoulders. The centre will be operating in April 2026. More information.

SH1 Waitahanui: Overnight stop/go is in place at Waitahanui for asphalting. Work is between 7pm and 6am. There are temporary speed limits in place during the day. Please prepare for some delays in this area while work is happening.

North Waikato

Work starting next week

The new IKEA store in Auckland near Sylvia Park opens on Thursday 4 December with up to 16,000 people expected to visit daily for the initial 4 months of opening. Motorists are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternatively routes and allow extra time for their journeys.

SH1 Nikau Road to Bombay Interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Monday 1 December between 9pm and 5am for maintenance. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. The Bombay northbound off-ramp will be closed as part of this closure. Please use alternative off-ramp at Ramarama or Ridge Road. 

SH1 Pōkeno Interchange to Nikau Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Tuesday 2 December between 9pm and 5am for maintenance. 
The recommended detour is via Great South Road, Pōkeno Road, Helenslee Road, Razorback Road and Nikau Road.  

SH1 northbound to SH2 eastbound link: travel along SH1 to turn around at Bombay Interchange and drive south to the SH1 southbound to SH2 link.  

SH2 westbound to SH1 northbound link: travel along SH1 to turn around at Mercer Interchange and drive north.

SH1 Pioneer Road to Pokeno interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Wednesday 3 December between 10pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.

• There will be no access to Pioneer Road to/from SH1. Motorists travelling from Pioneer Road to SH1 northbound will detour at Mercer to turn around to travel north. Traffic will be detoured at Nikau Road to turn around at travel south to get Pioneer southbound off-ramp to enter Pioneer Road. 
• Pokeno northbound off-ramp will be closed. Please continue on SH1 and turn around at Nikau Road to get back to Pōkeno Interchange.

SH1 Pioneer Road to Island Block Road: There will be a full southbound closure on Sunday 30 November between 9pm and 5am for maintenance. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.  

SH1 Island Block Road to Pioneer Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Thursday 4 December between 9pm and 5am for maintenance. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. 

SH2: Stop/go traffic management will be in place at various locations on SH2 between 9pm and 5am for the following closures. Please follow traffic management directions and stop when asked. Newly laid chipseal will require aftercare treatment. Reduced speeds will be in place during the day and night.  

• Between Avon Road and Pendergrast Road from Sunday 30 November to Thursday 4 December. 
• Between Bairds Road and Irish Road on Wednesday 3 December.

Waikato summer renewals map

The map below indicates worksites which may inpact your journeys this summer maintenance season.

More information

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