| View online |
|
 |
TREC Tairāwhiti recovery updateIssue 45 |
|
 |
8 May 2026 |
|
|
Tēnā koeWe’re happy to share a number of milestones in this issue. They include an outstanding community celebration of the Hakanui Straight project completion on State Highway 2 (SH2), starting repairs on the Makarangu dropout beside the Mangahauini Gorge on State Highway 35 (SH35), gearing up for the Hikuwai Bridge ‘superstructure’ (SH35), the first willows planted for Uawa River repairs (SH35), the final Kemps Hill underslip (SH35), and more. Thanks for your ongoing patience and support as we continue our Cyclone Gabrielle recovery mahi. |
|
|
Hakanui Straight flood resilience – completion celebratedMajor works to improve one of the most flood affected stretches of SH2 in Tairāwhiti are complete – 2 months ahead of schedule. The Hakanui Straight project upgraded a section of SH2 near Te Karaka, which was typically the first part of the highway to flood and close during severe weather events. The upgrade included lifting an 850-metre section of SH2 by around 3 metres, installing new culverts (large pipes) to help manage floodwater, diverting a section of the nearby Hakanui Stream, along with pavement strengthening and safety barriers. The road is now fully open with 2 lanes and the speed limit returned to 100km/h. Thank you to our iwi partners Te-Aitanga-a-Mahaki, the local community, road users, and neighbouring landowners for your patience and cooperation while this work was carried out. It was great celebrating the completion of the work with a community event on Sunday 26 April. Delivering this project with many local contractors ahead of schedule means a safer, more resilient section of SH2 is now in place for the people of Tairāwhiti, helping keep this vital connection open during future weather events. The 850m section of road is now raised by 3 metres with additional culverts (large pipes) to help better manage water. |
|
 |
||
|
A dawn karakia was held as part of the community celebration of the completion of the Hakanui Straight flood resilience project. You can see the raised road in the background. Photo by Zoe Harata, Taioro News. |
|
 |
||
|
Makarangu dropout repairs beginWe’re about to start on the large dropout below the road around 500 metres south of the main Mangahauini Gorge site where drainage works are underway. Flooding and erosion have damaged the riverbank, carved out parts of the channel, and weakened the stability of this area. Emergency works were carried out after Cyclone Gabrielle and this next stage will help protect and repair the site for the long term. The team will remove the temporary earth bund (wall) in the river, reshape the channel, and rebuild the riverbank. New rock barbs (angled rock structures) will be installed on the SH35 side to guide the river back towards the centre of the channel and away from the bank. Two culverts (large pipes) will be upgraded to improve water flow and reduce erosion, and rock protection will be added to help stabilise the riverbank. The site will also be prepared so vegetation can re-establish and strengthen the area over time. These repairs will help protect SH35 and make the river more resilient during storms. As this work is opposite the already started culvert works, there will be no change to the traffic management set-up. The highway will be down to one lane at times. Expect 5 minute delays if you’re travelling through. Thanks for your patience and support to help keep our crew and other road users safe. Makarangu dropout site below the road. |
|
 |
||
|
New Hikuwai Bridge gearing up for the ‘superstructure’Work is progressing well at Hikuwai Bridge on SH35, with crews focused on the final touches to the ‘substructure’ (everything beneath the bridge deck) ahead of girder delivery, expected in the coming weeks. The installation of the girders (large support beams) will be a major milestone for the project, marking the transition from ‘substructure’ to ‘superstructure’ works (the parts of the bridge that sit above the supports and piers). In the right hand photo (below), crews can be seen carefully cleaning the plinths. These are critical components that support the bridge bearings, which in turn carry the girders and help distribute the load of the structure. At the northern end of the bridge, solid progress is being made on the MSE (mechanically stabilised earth) wall, while work on the southern end MSE wall is nearing completion. These walls support and stabilise the bridge structure and the road above. Left: Cleaned rocks are packed into mesh panels to form the MSE (mechanically stabilised earth) wall. Right: Crews waterblast the steel plinth bridge base getting them ready to receive the bridge bearings. |
|
 |
||
|
Recovery work at Rotokautuku (Waiapu) BridgeWork continues to rebuild a section of riverbank just outside Ruatoria on SH35 after it was lost during Cyclone Gabrielle. This strengthening helps to protect the Rotokautuku (Waiapu) Bridge and surrounding area from ongoing erosion. In this video filmed in March this year, our team and local contractors are using locally made ‘dolosse’. We built a temporary bund (wall) - using these large, specially designed concrete blocks - to create a safe and stable work area. Despite challenging weather and high river flows affecting the temporary works, we’ve made great progress. We’re now into the permanent phase, laying dolosse and rock bags along the riverbank in rows to absorb the force of the Waiapu River and strengthen protection around the bridge. Permanent works beneath the bridge are making strong progress. |
|
 |
||
|
Uawa River protection moves into next phaseRiver protection works at the site are progressing at Uawa, north of Tolaga Bay on SH35. With 500 of the planned 700 rock bags now placed along the riverbank, crews have moved onto laying and planting willows between the top 4 rock bag layers. The willows play an important role in long-term protection. As you can see in the photo, they are laid horizontally to help the roots grow into the riverbank. Once established, their roots bind the soil together, reinforcing the riverbank and reducing the risk of erosion. Above ground, the flexible branches help slow the flow of water, absorbing energy during floods and helping trap sediment. Once the willows are in place, additional rock bags will be installed over the top. This layered approach combines natural and engineered solutions providing longer-term strength and resilience. First willows being laid at Uawa River on top of the rock bags. |
|
 |
||
|
Kemps Hill final phase to get underwayCrews are ready to start on the third and final underslip at Kemps Hill south of Tikitiki on SH35. Our ‘living wall’ of willow trees is helping stabilise the slope at Kemps Hill, after 3 underslips reduced the road to one lane. Crews repaired 2 slips last year and we are now completing the final works here. This section of highway will remain under a one-way traffic light system while work is underway to keep our crew and other road users safe. TREC is planting willow walls at other locations including on our Uawa River site (see above). Willow walls aren’t new - they were widely used to stabilise roadside slips and riverbanks in New Zealand from the 1940s to 1960s - but they’re making a comeback. Low-cost and environmentally friendly, they prove that nature still offers some of the best solutions to our toughest challenges as a key part of our recovery work.
|
|
|
Road Safety Week 2026 - Be a road safety heroThis year’s Road Safety Week is themed “Be a Road Safety Hero” and recognises the many people who help make our roads safer and support others after a crash. During Road Safety Week, here at TREC we are encouraging everyone to pause and think about how we manage risk on and around our roads. Many of our people spend long hours driving or working near live traffic. Taking time to check vehicles, follow traffic management plans, reduce speed limits and avoid distractions, and speak up about hazards helps ensure everyone gets home safely. The week is coordinated by Brake, a road safety charity dedicated to preventing road deaths and injuries and supporting those affected. As a team working on the network every day, we’re proud to play our part alongside many others - from engineers, emergency services, road crews and traffic management teams along with community advocates - all contributing to safer journeys for everyone.
|
|
 |
||
|
State highway snapshotBelow is a snapshot of construction works either underway or coming soon. You can also view completed, current and future work sites on our interactive map. SH2 underway
SH35 underway
|
|
 |
|
Whakapā mai – Get in touchIf you spot an issue at a work site after hours, call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444449). Sign-up to receive these regular newsletters:
Local road network Gisborne District Council is responsible for local roading recovery projects. More information. |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
