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TREC Tairāwhiti recovery updateIssue 44 |
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23 April 2026 |
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Tēnā koeWe have exciting news to share this issue with our State Highway 35 (SH35) eastern Bay of Plenty site at Tōrere now completed, and State Highway 2 (SH2) Hakanui Straight project in its final week of work. We also have an update on SH35 recovery sites between Pōtaka and Te Araroa, which TREC will be delivering, as work from the January weather events transitions from emergency response into longer-term repairs. Alongside this, we share updates for our major projects on SH35 at Mangahauini Gorge and Hikuwai Bridge as well as a spotlight on working with the tides at the Uawa River scour. And on SH2, you can read about drainage work underway at our final site north of Otoko Hill. Thanks for your ongoing patience and support as we continue our Cyclone Gabrielle recovery mahi. |
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Hakanui Straight flood resilience – final works under wayWe are at the final stages of the Hakanui Straight flood resilience project, with crews currently sealing and preparing the road ahead of completion. This section of SH2 has been lifted by around 3 metres to provide a safer, more reliable connection for local whānau and all road users. What's underway this week?
Please note a small section of the road at the Hakanui Straight project (between Poynter Road and Pitcher Road) will be closed between 6am and 7am on Sunday 26 April for a community event to celebrate the completion of this project. More information. Traffic management will be in place to keep people safe. Thank you to everyone travelling through this area for your patience as we complete this important work for the Tairāwhiti community. Crews sealing and preparing the road at the Hakanui Straight flood resilience project as works near completion. |
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Major SH35 slip repairs completed at TōrereRepairs to the 2 large slips on SH35 at Tōrere in the eastern Bay of Plenty are now complete, and the highway has reopened to 2 lanes. This work was carried out with Waiotahi Contractors, Apanui Traffic Management, and iwi and hapū partners. Because the slips occurred right beside Te Kura o Tōrere and near an urupā (cemetery), crews had to take extra care. Some of the repairs, including placing the large rocks that stabilise the slip above the highway, had to be done by hand due to the steep terrain and sensitivity of the site. The underslip (under the highway) was repaired using an anchored shotcrete wall – steel bars were drilled into the bank then sprayed with liquid concrete to further strengthen it. The overslip (above the highway) was rebuilt layer by layer with reinforced walls and new drainage to help better move water away and protect the slope. Close-up of completed works at Tōrere Take a closer look at the drone footage below which shows the finished work. A huge thank you to iwi and hapū partners whose kaitiaki worked alongside us throughout the project to ensure the whenua and surrounding environment were respected at every stage, and to local contractors for working with us on the project. We also acknowledge the support off Te Kura o Tōrere staff, who allowed the construction crew to set up on kura grounds and worked with us to keep their tamariki safe. You can see some of the tamariki throwing us a mana wave at the end of this video!
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SH35 Mangahauini Gorge - Building resilience for high rainfall eventsAt SH35 Mangahauini Gorge, crews are applying shotcrete to form a new overflow channel designed to safely carry water away during heavy rainfall events. Shotcrete is liquid concrete that is sprayed onto the surface, allowing it to be applied evenly and shaped to suit the terrain. This new overflow path will help manage large volumes of water when rivers and drains rise quickly, directing flows away from the road and reducing the risk of scouring, erosion, or damage to the highway during severe weather. By reinforcing the slope and channel with sprayed concrete, the structure becomes more durable and resilient. This work is a key part of the project’s wider flood resilience improvements, helping maintain a safer and more reliable connection for road users during high rainfall. Crews applying shotcrete to create a new overflow channel which will help safely direct floodwaters away from SH35 during heavy rainfall events. |
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Under the surface at SH2 Faram’sCrews are pushing on north of Gisborne to complete TREC’s final recovery project on SH2. A 24 metre long culvert (large pipe) has been installed to remove water from the road surface and create a smoother driving experience (pictured below). The images below outline key stages in laying the culvert:
Crews are now focusing on installing 6 counterfort drains, each of differing lengths, between 15 to 50 metres long. These drains will remove water from the hills and reduce movement upslope of the road corridor. Work is expected to be completed in mid-May. Culvert (large pipe) installation is now complete at SH2 Faram’s. |
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In step with the tide at UawaCrews have now finished placing rip rap (rock) and gabion basket protection around a culvert (large pipe) outlet at the northern end of the site. They are now focusing on placement of rock bags to help protect the riverside from erosion and risk to SH35. Timing is everything on this job with teams working closely around the tides and carefully planning each day to make the most of the safe working windows. Activity begins early, around 5.30am with work continuing through to late afternoon, typically wrapping up before 5.30pm. Around 40 rock bags are being installed each day, steadily working through the 640 required for the site. Earlier this week crews had already placed more than 300. Each rock bag is around 4 tonnes and 2.4m by 0.6m high. Once stacked and settled into each other, they provide a strong structure against the river flow (and a welcoming home for fish and plant life). The strong progress being made is shaped by the rhythm of the tides and crews positioning themselves to take advantage of the conditions as they shift. Rock bags are being placed in lines along the Uawa River to prevent erosion. Rock bag being lifted into place. |
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Progress update Hikuwai Bridge on SH35With the bridge foundations now firmly in place, the next stages of the structure are beginning to take shape. All 16 bearings have arrived on site marking another project milestone. Bridge bearings sit between the girders and the piers and help the bridge to move slightly due to traffic, temperature changes and ground movement. Meanwhile, the 20 steel girders which are the main beams and will sit along the piers and support the deck, are currently being fabricated in Napier. Delivery is scheduled next month as momentum for the superstructure builds. Action stations at Hikuwai Bridge site last week. |
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Additional projects for TRECDuring the January 2026 weather events, SH35 between Pōtaka and Te Araroa was badly damaged. With the road now open 24/7, while still fragile, work is transitioning from the emergency response to the recovery phase. NZTA has asked TREC to repair some of the more complex sites that require longer-term repairs. Planning and preparations for these sites is underway with work planned to be delivered with local contractors by the end of 2026. Part of this planning includes around 4 weeks of site investigations starting in early May. This work will be undertaken at several of the key sites along the route and mostly within the traffic management currently in place. These investigations are important to help inform permanent designs. We'll continue to keep you updated.
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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
SH2 coming soon
SH35 underway
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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. |
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