SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki

Project update

5 December 2025

Cars entering the new Matekerepu Roundabout

Matekerepu Update

Welcome to our December newsletter where you’ll find the latest information about work happening on State Highway 2 (SH2) as part of the safety improvement project between Wainui Road and Ōpōtiki.

A culvert at the worksite

What’s been happening at Matekerepu Roundabout?

Matekerepu Roundabout continues to take shape, as crews dig out sections of Wainui Road to connect the new roundabout with the existing road. Our crews are hard at work, laying new layers of road that will form the base of the finished surface. They’re also preparing access ways so vehicles can safely get in and out of the site and replacing 6 culverts.

A culvert is a structure that allows water to flow under a road, driveway or pathway. It’s usually a pipe or a small tunnel that channels streams, stormwater or drainage safely from one side to another. Culverts are important because they control water flow and protect both the road and the surrounding environment. This is how culverts help keep roads durable and safe from water-related damage.

All these works are part of getting the site ready for the next stages of completing the roundabout and helping to create a smoother, safer road for everyone. The traffic management in the area continues to be stop/go between 7am and 6pm.

Please continue to follow the directions of our friendly traffic management crew and stick to all temporary speed limits. These measures are in place to keep both drivers and road workers safe. Your patience helps us get the job done faster and ensures everyone makes it home safely.

Signage at Matekerepu Roundabout

Traffic management at Matekerepu

With all the work happening on the Matekerepu Roundabout, you’ve probably noticed the traffic management in place. Ever wondered why it’s so important? Let’s take a closer look at how this works, and why it's so important for keeping the project safe and on track.

Stop/go
We use stop/go traffic management to temporarily alter the flow of traffic. Stop/go is typically used when only one lane is open or when temporary barriers or machinery are blocking part of the road.

There are 2 types of stop/go traffic management – manual and automatic. Manual stop/go is controlled by someone standing in the area with a lollipop sign and is used for short-term work, sites that are constantly changing and for flexibility.

Automatic stop/go involves a traffic light system and is usually used for longer-term, predictable worksites. Automatic stop/go traffic management is also used for overnight works where crews don’t need to manually manage traffic flow.

A site like the Matekerepu Roundabout uses a combination of both manual and automatic stop/go traffic management signage. During peak hours stop/go is manually controlled so traffic can be managed according to real traffic queues and to reduce disruption. Outside of peak hours, traffic is controlled using automatic traffic lights.

So next time you’re driving through an active worksite, remember these measures are in place to protect you and your whānau as well as the crews that are working hard to make the area safer. While it may slow your journey down, traffic management is essential to ensuring that everyone gets home safely and that the work can be completed to the highest standard possible.

Attendees at the site blessing

Site blessing for final stage of safety improvements

On Thursday 23 October, local iwi Te Ūpokorehe led a blessing at the intersection of SH2 and Ōhiwa Beach Road ahead of construction starting on the final stage of the safety improvements project.

A site blessing is an important ceremony led by local iwi before work begins on a project. It’s a way of honouring the land, acknowledging the history of the area and asking for protection as the work moves forward. During the blessing, a karakia (prayer) is said while everyone gathers to pause, reflect and show respect for the whenua (land). A blessing can also help settle the space spiritually, creating a sense of safety and calm for the people who will be working there.

A site blessing is also an important moment to connect with mana whenua, recognise their guardianship of the land and begin the project in a culturally respectful and grounded way.

We’re expecting to start construction on this final section of the project in 2026, where 2 teardrop shaped roundabouts will be built at the intersections of SH2 and Ōhiwa Beach Road and Waiōtahe Valley Back Road. When built, the teardrop shaped roundabouts will make it easier and safer for drivers approaching the intersections on SH2 and the side roads.

We’ll keep you updated about when physical works will begin through our newsletters and traffic bulletins which you can see here.

Matekerepu Bridge undergoing work

Matekerepu Bridge works

As part for the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project, resurfacing work is currently underway on the Matekerepu Bridge.

This essential maintenance will ensure the bridge surface remains in top condition, providing a smoother and safer ride for travellers. To keep traffic moving while the work is completed, the site is operating under a single lane closure and manual stop/go. This approach allows people to continue travelling through the area with minimal disruption.

Project teams have taken the opportunity to complete this resurfacing while traffic management was already in place for the wider safety improvements. This makes sense from both a cost and efficiency perspective, reducing the need for additional closures in the future.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation while this important work is carried out. These improvements are part of our ongoing commitment to making SH2 safer and more reliable for all road users.

A slip in Waimana Gorge

What’s happening in SH2 Gorges

Work continues to repair an underslip in Waimana Gorge, approximately 4.3km southeast of Tāneatua. Because the road is so narrow, it is currently down to one lane with traffic management being automatic stop/go using traffic lights.

In the Waioweka Gorge near Ōpōnae, there are 5 active sites scheduled for repairs. Stop/go traffic management is currently in place through the gorge, and we expect to finish the main physical works before the Christmas break with some smaller tasks continuing into 2026. Please continue to take care when travelling and follow the instructions from the friendly traffic management crew working through the gorge.

Pekatahi Bridge

SH2 Pekatahi Bridge closure for maintenance

Pekatahi Bridge, north of Tāneatua on SH2, will close daily for maintenance from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 December.

The closures will take place between 8.30am and 4.30pm each day, to allow contractors to repair and replace broken and loose decking planks throughout the length of the bridge and other general maintenance.

The repairs have been timed around local road detour availability and as close to the school holidays as possible.

As some schools will still be open, school buses will have access through the closure to get children to and from school.

Due to the narrow width of the bridge a full closure is required to ensure this work can be carried out safely.

A detour will be in place for all traffic; northbound using Tāneatua Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and onto SH30 towards Awakeri and southbound traffic will use the same route in reverse. This detour is expected to add up to 20 minutes to journey times and is suitable for all vehicles, including High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV).

A lot of planning is involved and we’d like to acknowledge the assistance of Whakatāne District Council, who allow the detour route on their local roads.

NZTA thanks road users for their co-operation.
Detour Map

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As we wrap up a busy year at Matekerepu, we want to thank everyone in our community, our partners and our project teams for your ongoing support and care for this whenua. We hope you enjoy a restful break with whānau and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We look forward to reconnecting in 2026.

More information

For more information on the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki project, visit our website nzta.govt.nz/sh2-wainui-road-to-opotiki

If you have any questions, please contact us at bopprojects@nzta.govt.nz