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TREC Tairāwhiti recovery updateIssue 38 |
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29 January 2026 |
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Tēnā koeOur thoughts are with the Tairāwhiti and Bay of Plenty communities, particularly those located in Te Araroa, Wharekahika (Hick’s Bay) and further north, as they start to recover from the impacts of this recent weather event. We’re also aware of the lengthy detours the freight, farming and horticultural industries are facing. In this issue we’re sharing contact details for more information on the emergency response on local highways and roads. We’re also providing a short progress update on our major TREC sites. Overall TREC sites – both completed and in construction – have held up well in the recent weather events, with minor clean-up required at a few of the sites in construction. Huge thanks to local contractors who have been putting in the long hours and hard mahi on the emergency works, and also returning to TREC sites to finish our long-term recovery work. |
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Useful links for emergency response updatesFor general state highway updates: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is managing the response to the weather event along the state highways and providing regular updates on how their work is tracking. You can sign-up for the NZTA update on how the clean-up is going via the link below and follow their Facebook pages.
For local information, including the latest on council managed roads:
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State Highway 2 (SH2) recovery updateThere was no damage to our finished Otoko Hill sites. At our SH2 Hakanui Straight flood resilience site where we’re raising the road level, the new stream channel and culverts (designed to keep water away from the highway) worked as intended. The team were straight back into construction on Tuesday after the long weekend. Left to Right - SH35 Rototahe and SH2 Hakanui Straight flood resilience sites, shortly after the weather event. |
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State Highway 35 (SH35) recovery updateMangahauini Gorge Our sites in the gorge have held up well, with only small areas needing repairs. Crews are currently clearing debris, fixing washed‑out areas and reopening access routes so construction work can continue. Work on the ‘roughened channel’, made from hanbars (large concrete blocks) and rocks, will start again soon. More than three quarters of the hanbars are now on site. This structure will help steady the riverbed and protect the highway from erosion. Hikuwai Bridge At our Hikuwai Bridge replacement project the river levels were up but did not reach the site and issues were limited overall. Bridge piling work is well underway and due to be completed by March this year. Rototahe This project focuses on improving a flood-prone section of SH35 at Rototahe by raising the road level by almost 1m and upgrading drainage systems. Water didn’t breach the road, and the increased capacity of the 6 new culverts (large pipes) did their job, along with the increased height of the road (see photo above). The project is in its final stage with road surface work currently underway. Tōrere The team was able to carry on working during the weather event and the site held up well. We’ll be able to share our expected completion date shortly for the slips on this section of the highway. (Left to Right) SH35 Rotokautuku (Waiapu) Bridge, Hikuwai Bridge and Mangahauini Gorge sites, shortly after the weather event. |
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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
SH35 underway
SH35 coming soon
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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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