Hawke's Bay state highway planned roadworks

Saturday 23 January to Friday 30 January 2026

23 January 2026

Kia ora,

This weekly update keeps you informed about what’s happening across the region’s state highway network – from the summer road renewals to recovery works – so you can plan your journey.

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

The weather events across the North Island this week will impact some of the roadworks in Hawke’s Bay, particularly on State Highway 2 (SH2) between Gisborne and Napier, and State Highway 5 (SH5).

SH2/SH5 is also the only detour route in and out of Tairāwhiti at the moment, please be aware of increased numbers of vehicles on this route.

• For updates on the Tairāwhiti state highway network, visit this webpage.
• For updates on the SH2 Waioweka Gorge closure, visit this webpage.

If a state highway isn’t mentioned below, it means there are no major or disruptive works planned for that route this week.

If you’re travelling on the state highways these summer holidays, check Journey Planner or Facebook for the latest information.

Take care on the road this summer.

Ngā mihi nui,

The NZTA Hawke’s Bay team

Information current as at 4:55pm on 23/01/2026

Upcoming roadworks

Upcoming closures:

• NEW DATES SH2 HB Expressway, between Taradale Road and Meeanee Road: Overnight closures starting Tuesday 2 February for 4 weeks, Sunday to Thursday nights, 8pm-5am each night (5 nights a week). Detours available, more information below.
• SH50 Ahuriri, between Customs Quay/Bridge St and Pandora Road: Overnight closures on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 February, 8pm-5am each night (2 nights). Short detours available.
• SH51 Awatoto, between Ellison Street and Waitangi Road: Overnight closures starting Monday 2 February to Thursday 13 February, Monday to Thursday nights, 8pm-5am each night (4 nights a week). Short detours available.
• SH38 between Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Tuai: Overnight closures are underway until Saturday 28 February, Sunday to Friday nights, 8pm-6am (6 nights a week). More information.

State Highway 2 Hawke's Bay Expressway

Work is ramping up on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) project with multiple worksites active along the expressway. Here’s what to expect:

SH2 Tutaekuri River Bridge

Piling work starting from next week

• The planned piling work for the new bridge is now expected to begin early next week (starting Monday 26 January). This work depends on fine weather, so may be postponed at short notice.
• During the work, a large crane will be lifting long steel piles (up to 36 metres) into position. To keep everyone safe, traffic must be stopped until the pile is secure.
• Crews will work Monday to Friday in off-peak times, between 10am and 2pm only. Occasionally crews may work the same hours on a Saturday.
• Delays of between 10 and 20 minutes may be expected during these times. Facebook.

Upcoming nightworks

• An overnight stop/go will be in operation Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 January, 8pm to 5am each night for flexible median barrier removal and road resurfacing.
• This was previously scheduled for last week but delayed due to the weather.
• During the day, both lanes will be open under a 70km/h temporary speed limit.

SH2 Meeanee Road to Taradale Road

• Overnight closures have been delayed a week and are now planned to start Tuesday 3 February, Sunday to Thursday nights, 8pm-5am each night (5 nights a week), for about 4 weeks.
• Work includes flexible median barrier removal, temporary paving, line marking and the installation of temporary safety barrier.
• Detour suitable for all vehicles including HPMV via Meeanee Road, Lee Road, Gloucester Street and Taradale Road (and reverse). Overdimensional vehicles and emergency services will be escorted through the site.

Take extra care when driving on the Expressway. Your patience helps keep everyone safe - thank you.

More information about the HB Expressway RoNS project.

State Highway 2 Central Hawke's Bay

SH2 between Victoria Street and past Racecourse Road, Waipawa

• Six nights of resealing starting Monday 26 to Saturday 31 January, 7pm-6am each night. The work will be completed 6am, Sunday 1 February
• Stop/go traffic management and 30km/hr temporary speed limit will be in place, with up to 10 minute delays. Facebook.

State Highway 2 North

POSTPONED SH2 Devil’s Elbow, between Aropaoanui Road and Waikoau Hill

• Overnight closures for final asphalting by the Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance were planned to start Sunday 18 January until Thursday 5 February, Sunday to Thursday nights, 9pm-5am (5 nights a week). This work is postponed due to the SH2 Waioweka Gorge closure. We'll let you know when new dates are confirmed.

SH2 White Pine Bush

• Road rebuild is underway until Wednesday 18 February. This work was delayed due to weather.
• Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limit will be in place, with up to 15 minute delays.

SH2 Whirinaki

• A temporary diversion road at Whirinaki is now in use as part of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s flood protection project.
• Please take care, stick to the 50km/h temporary speed limit and follow all signage instructions. Facebook.

SH2 between Kaimata Road and Hill Road, Bay View

• Two new culvert installations starting Monday 26 January to Friday 20 February
• Stop/go traffic management will be in place day and nights, depending on the work underway. Expect up to 10 minute delays.

State Highway 5 Napier to Taupō

SH5 various locations

• Road resealing in various locations including Te Pōhue
• Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place, with up to 10 minute delays. This work is weather dependent and may be changed at short notice.

State Highway 38 Wairoa to Waikaremoana

SH38 between Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Tuai

• Overnight closures for underslip repairs by TREC are underway until Saturday 28 February 2026, Sunday to Friday nights, 8pm-6am each night (6 nights a week)
• The road will be open for Auckland Anniversary weekend Saturday 24 to Monday 26 January, as Bay of Plenty share this public holiday. Work resumes Tuesday 27 January, 8pm-6am (subject to ground conditions)
• No viable detour, emergency services will be assisted through the site. Traffic bulletin and Facebook.

SH38 various locations

• Pavement maintenance is underway in some locations until end of March 2026, Monday to Friday, 7am-5pm
• Stop/go traffic management with up to 10 minute delays.

State Highway 50

SH50 Prebensen Drive/SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway roundabout

• Work for the Napier CVSC is underway until end 2026
• No delays are expected as the work is off to the side of the road and a shoulder closure is in place. 

SH50 Ahuriri, between Customs Quay/Bridge St roundabout and Pandora Road roundabout

• Overnight closures for resealing the road on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 February, 8pm-5am each night (2 nights)
• Both roundabouts will remain open to traffic. Emergency services will be assisted if required.
• Detour for light vehicles: Hyderabad Road, Thackery Street and Tennyson Street onto Marine Parade, Breakwater Road and onto Ahuriri Bypass (and reverse).
• Detour for HPMV: Hyderabad Road, SH51 Georges Drive, SH51 Ellison Street, Marine Parade (and reverse).

State Highway 51

SH51 Taradale Road between Alpers Terrace and Hyderabad Road roundabout

• Southbound lanes are closing from 6pm Sunday 25 January for the duration of Napier City Council’s culvert upgrade project, likely May.
• From Alpers Terrace, northbound traffic will shift over to the southbound lanes.
• Southbound traffic to detour via SH50 Prebensen Drive and onto SH2 HB Expressway. Alternative routes on local roads are via SH51 Georges Drive, Kennedy Road, Riverbend Road, Taradale Road; and via SH50 Prebensen Drive, Ford Road, Austin Street, Taradale Road.
• Please follow the signs and allow extra time for your journey. More information.

SH51 Awatoto, between Ellison Street and Waitangi Road
Overnight closures for high performance line-marking starting early February. This work will be completed in stages:

• Stage 1 - Full closure between Ellison Street to Awatoto Road: Monday 2 to Thursday 5 February, 8pm-5am each night (4 nights). The road will reopen 5am Friday 6 February. Detour for light vehicles via Te Awa Avenue. Heavy vehicles will be detoured via Awatoto Road and follow traffic management crew instructions on the night, and reverse.
• Stage 2 - Full closure between Awatoto Road to Waitangi Road: Monday 9 to Thursday 12 February, 8pm-5am each night (4 nights). The road will reopen 5am Friday 13 February. Detour for both directions will be via Waitangi Road. Stop/go traffic management will be in place to facilitate the one-way section of Waitangi Road and intersection.
• Stage 3 - Stop/go traffic management between Waitangi Road to Tutaekuri River Bridge: Monday 16 to Thursday 19 February, 8pm-5am each night (4 nights). No detour required as this work is under stop/go at nights.
• Access for emergency services, residents and businesses will remain open during closures.

SH51 Tutaekuri Bridge (Waitangi)

• Bridge repairs by TREC are ongoing until mid-February, 7am-6pm
• From Tuesday 27 January until Friday 13 February, one-lane closures between 9am to 3pm. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place during these works, with up to 30 minute delays.

More information

Please note there may be other minor state highway works not listed in this update. All work above is carried out on behalf of NZTA, unless otherwise stated.

For more information on the Hawke's Bay state highway maintenance programme, contact info@nzta.govt.nz visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/sh-maintenance-programme/hawkes-bay or call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).

The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance sends regular updates about recovery work on Hawke’s Bay state highways. To receive these, sign up on their website here. For questions about TREC activity, please contact info@trec.nz.