Hawke's Bay state highway update

SH2 Waioweka Gorge emergency response

19 January 2026

SH2 Waioweka Gorge closure - Community update

Kia ora koutou,

This email provides an update on the State Highway 2 (SH2) Waioweka Gorge closure between Matawai in Gisborne and Ōpōtiki in Bay of Plenty, following last Friday’s severe weather and multiple large slips.

You’re receiving this update because you signed up for state highway updates for Hawke's Bay and this closure means this week's planned overnight closures on SH2 at Devil's Elbow are postponed. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, please unsubscribe at any time.

Thank you for your patience as crews continue working to respond to the significant damage along SH2 through the Gorge. Below is today’s update on the current situation, our recovery progress, and what travellers need to know.

Current situation

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) acknowledges the high level of public concern and will continue providing frequent updates.

A Regional Emergency Response Team (RERT) has been established today with Rob Service appointed as the RERT Controller to lead the NZTA response and recovery.

Early assessments indicate around 40 slips throughout the Gorge, including 4 - 8 major slip sites. Damage is extensive, and until debris can be safely cleared, the full condition of the road surface and structures beneath the slip material remains unknown.

SH2 is the primary connection between Gisborne, Tairāwhiti, and the Bay of Plenty. A closure of this route is highly disruptive, and there is no short or convenient detour available.

Based on what we know today, the closure is expected to last weeks, not days.

Recovery efforts underway

Contractors began work on Sunday 18 January at both ends of the Gorge, where 2 significant slips have now been declared safe for crews to enter.

Gisborne side progress

Crews have now cleared several small slips, removing 25 truckloads of material.

Work continues on the largest slip they can access, where 42 truckloads have now been removed.

Ten culverts remain blocked and will be cleared using a digger from today.

Ōpōtiki side progress

Work continues on the major slip with approx. 30 large dump trucks removing material by end of Sunday.

A second team is clearing vegetation and opening culverts to support drainage and reduce further risk.

Community and travel information

SH35 and SH2 south of Gisborne remain open, but long detours are required.

Travellers should delay travel where possible or allow significantly more time if detouring via SH35 or SH5.

NZTA is actively monitoring the MetService weather warnings, which may impact work this week.

NZTA is working with directly affected vehicle owners on the recovery of their vehicles.

When will the road reopen?

It is too early to confirm a reopening timeline. Once crews can safely access all damaged areas and assess the full condition of the road, we will be able to provide a better estimate.

This recovery will take weeks rather than days.

Safety is the priority. Crews are working as quickly as they safely can, but the scale and instability of the slips make this a complex operation.

Devil’s Elbow closure postponed

With SH2 between Gisborne and the SH2/SH5 intersection in Hawke's Bay serving as a key detour for those travelling between Bay of Plenty, Taupō, and Gisborne (in both directions), the planned overnight closures on SH2 at Devil’s Elbow in Hawke’s Bay have been postponed. These works, which were due to begin last night for final asphalting, will be rescheduled. At this stage, no new date has been confirmed for the asphalting work. We’ll share an update when it is confirmed.

Thank you

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this significant disruption.

Further updates will be provided as soon as additional assessments and clearance work can safely continue.

Kia kaha, take care and thank you for your ongoing support.