SH2 Waioweka Gorge emergency response

Update 4

22 January 2026

Kia ora koutou

This email provides an update on the State Highway 2 (SH2) Waioweka Gorge closure following last Friday’s severe weather and multiple large slips.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) thanks 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

• SH2 through the Waioweka Gorge remains impassable.
• The State Highway 35 (SH35) detour route remains closed due to slips, flooding and debris. SH2 south of Gisborne is the only detour route open.

Following yesterday’s weather event:

• Gisborne side: Due to last night’s weather event the road into the Gorge was flooded and crews could not get in until the water dissipated. The Gorge has changed dramatically since yesterday and the team is assessing the situation. A new geotechnical investigation may be needed before crews resume work, expected from early Friday 23 January from the Gisborne side.
• Ōpōtiki side: Before the first slip (Goldsmith) a 2m wide culvert is blocked with a rootball wedged deeply inside. Water is flowing over the road and water pumps are in action to assist with clearing the culvert and retaining access to the Goldsmith slip. At the same time work continues on the large Goldsmith slip. A bigger 40-ton digger is on its way to this slip to provide an additional resource.
  The team is also investigating what is ahead so that once contractors break through the Goldsmith slip they are prepared and can clear at pace. They intend to use a smaller digger to ‘leap-frog’ through the gorge to clear small slips while the larger digger clears the big slips that will take more time to clear.
  A container with telecommunications and camera is already in place in that section of road which will assist with communications deep in the Gorge.

Plans for the weekend:

• Crews on both sides are working through the long weekend.

General update:

• The network remains in a very fragile state, with yesterday’s weather placing further pressure on an already saturated environment.
• There are approximately 40 slips of varying size across the Gorge, and more loose material is highly likely to come down.
• There is no safe access through the central section of the Gorge. People are encouraged to delay travel where possible and check the road status before travelling.
• Damage is extensive, and the condition of the Gorge and underlying structures will remain uncertain until debris can be safely cleared.
• NZTA remains confident in the work underway. Contractors are progressing well and continuing to push forward on what is a large and complex recovery task.
• The focus remains on restoring at least one lane of access. The timing and format of this reopening is not yet known; updates will be provided as soon as possible.
• NZTA acknowledges that SH2 is the primary connection between Gisborne, Tairāwhiti, and the Bay of Plenty. There is no short or convenient detour, which has significant impacts on communities and freight movements.

Recovery efforts underway

Crews have returned to both sites to resume work, they will continue through the long weekend (Auckland Anniversary Day Monday 26 January).

Community travel information

SH2 road closure information

Ōpōtiki side

• Soft closure starts at Warrington Road - 6km south of Opotiki (SH2/35). Resident access only.
• Hard closure and no access from Waioeka Pa Road (Opeke Marae access), 2km south of Warrington Road.

Gisborne side

• Soft closure starts at Kerei Street, Matawai, 65km in from Makaraka. Resident access only.
• Hard closure and no access from Te Wera Road, 7km east of Kerei Street.

Detour status

SH2 south of Gisborne is the only open route, however long detours are required.

There is a significant increase in traffic on SH2 south of Gisborne, with high volumes of vehicles continuing through to Bayview. Drivers are reminded to drive to the conditions, allow extra time, and remain patient.

Travellers should delay travel where possible.

People are encouraged to check the NZTA Journey Planner for up-to-date information before travelling: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Detour reminders: Waikare Bridge (SH2, Pūtōrino)

A reminder that the Waikare Acrow bridge on SH2 at Pūtōrino, between Wairoa and Napier, is a single lane, priority give way bridge.

If you’re travelling north toward Wairoa, you will have right of way.

If you’re heading south toward Napier, you need to slow down and be ready to stop at the bridge.

When will the Gorge reopen?

It is still too early to confirm a reopening timeline. Once all damaged areas can be safely accessed and assessed, we will be able to provide a clearer estimate.

Recovery will take weeks, not days. We are focused on getting one lane open as soon as possible.

Safety remains our highest priority. 

Crews are progressing as quickly as conditions safely allow, but the scale and instability of the slips make this a highly complex operation.

More information

Thank you

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this significant disruption.

Further updates will be provided on Friday 23 January and then from Tuesday 27 January. 

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

For more information:

• Contact us at BOPmaintenance@nzta.govt.nz
• Visit our website nzta.govt.nz/bop-maintenance
• Sign up to receive SH2 Waioweka Gorge updates here
• Check out the latest Tairawhiti updates here