Bay of Plenty state highway maintenance programme

Saturday 24 January to Friday 30 January 2026

23 January 2026

State highway maintenance and renewals update

State highways with scheduled works starting next week:

• SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge, Lower Kaimai
• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road
• SH30A Amohau Street, Rotorua
• SH29 Takitimu Drive, Tauranga

Roadworks may be postponed due to rain or other factors that disrupt the weekly schedule.

Please be aware there may be other less disruptive state highway works not listed in this newsletter.

Check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest travel information and journey times before starting your journey: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Disruption continues over the long weekend

Storm damage across the Bay of Plenty means road closures and restrictions will remain in parts of State Highway 2 (SH2) network.

Heavy rainfall has triggered multiple slips, debris flows and pavement damage across the network, blocking sections of road and overwhelming drainage systems.

Crews have been working across the Bay of Plenty to clear slips, remove fallen trees and assess damage, with teams operating wherever it is safe to do so.

The following sections of state highway in the Bay of Plenty are now open:

• SH2 Whakamārama (Esdale Rd to Wainui Sth Road): opened mid-afternoon, under a temporary speed limit, with traffic management in place. 

The following sections of state highway in the Bay of Plenty are still currently closed:  

• SH2 Matatā to Edgecumbe: likely to open late on Saturday 24 January, under a temporary speed limit, with traffic management in place.

• SH2 Ōpotiki to Matawai (Waioweka Gorge)

Keep up to date on State highways: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

SH2 Waioweka Gorge

SH2 Waioweka Gorge - progress

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Following rainfall last Friday, there are approximately 40 slips of varying size across the gorge, with more identified following the more recent heavy rain. 

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 will continue to push forward on what is a large and complex recovery task.

Currently, SH2 south of Gisborne is the only open route, and 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. 

The focus remains on reopening at least one lane. The timing and format for this reopening is not yet known; updates will be provided as soon as possible.

We understand how critical this route is.

Waioweka vs Waioeka

We’ve noticed there has been a bit of chat on social media about the spelling of Waioweka, here’s an explanation.

The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa is New Zealand’s place naming authority and makes place names official so there is an agreed and correct name for a place.
NZTA follows place names determined by the NZ Geographic Board.
As part of the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Act 2024, the former geographic names for Waioeka and Waioeka Gorge have been altered. The new official names are Waioweka and Waioweka Gorge.

Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty

State Highway 29, State Highway 29A, State Highway 2 roadworks and potential impacts to journeys.

State Highway 29

SH29 Hamilton to Tauranga: Due to the number of worksites on SH29 between lower Kaimai Range and Tauriko, please allow up to 20 minutes extra time for travel.

Work starting next week

SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge: Ground investigations will be carried out on Wednesday 28 January and Thursday 29 January as part of work to build the new Ōmanawa bridge and road alignment. Two-way traffic will be maintained but there will be a lane shift in place with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h between 9am and 3.30pm.
On Thursday 29 January there may be delays as components for the large crane will be delivered to site by several trucks.  As the trucks will need to reverse onto site, the deliveries will be spread across the day from 9.30am, using a series of rolling blocks.  

SH29 Redwood Lane area: Line marking will be done across 3 nights from Tuesday 27 January, 6pm to 6am, on SH29 between Gargan Road and south of Belk Road, including Kaweroa Drive and Redwood Lane. Temporary traffic management will be in place during, including a 5-way stop/go on SH29, Kaweroa Drive, Belk Road and Redwood Lane, and a reduced speed limit of 30km/h on SH29 and all approaches to the work area.

SH2/SH29 Takitimu Drive: Work to build 2 temporary lanes will be completed on Tuesday 27 January, and from Wednesday 28 January traffic will be diverted via these for 4 months.
During this time, both SH29 and SH2 traffic will still be able to travel northbound onto SH2 Takitimu Drive, however traffic from SH29 to Fifteenth Ave will be detoured via SH2 Takitimu Drive to Elizabeth Street. SH2 traffic will still be able to travel to Fifteenth Ave.
The diversion is to allow construction of new lanes as part of the Takitimu North Link project.

Work starting soon

SH29 Kaimai Range closures: SH29 Kaimai Range will close for 5 nights, from Sunday 22 February to Thursday 26 February, between 8pm and 3.30am each night (reopening early Friday morning).
These closures are necessary to complete the next phase of stabilisation works on the Ruahihi Bluffs, along with routine maintenance, road marking and surfacing.
The details of the closure are still being worked through, with more information on access and detours to be provided to residents and road users in the coming weeks.
Work on Sunday 22 February will proceed regardless of weather, however the remaining nights are weather dependent with Sunday 1 March to Thursday 5 March the postponement dates.

SH29 Tauriko: From Monday 2 February, the slip lane from SH29 onto Takitimu Drive Toll Road (at the SH29/SH36 roundabout) will be closed to traffic daily during off-peak hours, 9.30am to 4pm while work is carried out on the nearby wetland. This is expected to take 6 weeks. Traffic can continue to access Takitimu Drive Toll Road via the roundabout. Work to remove streetlights on SH29 just west of the SH29/SH36 roundabout will also take place on Monday 9 February for 2 nights, 6pm to 6am. Temporary traffic management including closure of the slip lane, stop/go and mobile operations will be in place.

SH29 Tauriko, Cambridge Road to Tauriko Village: Construction is underway along the northern side of SH29 in Tauriko Village, including stormwater upgrade works at the intersection of SH29 and Te Ara Hoia Drive. A lane shift is currently in place on Te Ara Hoia Drive to accommodate extended safety barriers. Entry and exit is maintained for light vehicles and right turn in/right turn out for trucks. These works are expected to take 2 weeks, with the lane shift removed ahead of school resuming. From Monday 9 February, street light installation will occur over 3 nights, 6pm to 6am, on SH29 in the village, between numbers 808 and 820 Te Ara Hoia Drive. Temporary traffic management including stop/go will be in place.

Work underway

Cambridge Road northbound lane closure: A 24/7 northbound lane closure on a small section of Cambridge Road remains in place until early February, from the intersection with SH29 to 579 Cambridge Road. All Bethlehem-bound vehicles from SH29 are required to detour via SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (adds approximately 15 minutes, toll applies) or SH29A and Cameron Road (adds 22 minutes, free route). The southbound lane remains open, but there is a no right turn onto SH29. Kaimai Range/Hamilton-bound traffic must turn left onto SH29 and continue down the hill, then use the SH29/SH36 roundabout to change direction. A 60km/h speed limit is in place on the SH29 approaches to the intersection, and 30km/h in the immediate vicinity of the work site. Work will occur 7 days a week, with some extended shifts (7am to 12am) and night works (6pm to 6am) to complete work as quickly as possible. More information

SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 70km/h remains in place while crews are working behind the barriers on the construction of a flyover bridge and southbound slip lane works for the Takitimu North Link project. Traffic is anticipated to be diverted onto the flyover bridge and southbound slip lane in the next year while works continue. More information

SH29 Ngamuwahine Road: Road resurfacing is underway near Ngamuwahine Road on SH29 until Friday 23 January between 7pm and 5am each night. There will be 3 way stop/go traffic management in place while the work is ongoing and a reduced speed limit during the day.

State Highway 2

Work starting next week

SH2/SH29 Takitimu Drive: Work to build 2 temporary lanes will be completed on Tuesday 27 January, and from Wednesday 28 January traffic will be diverted via these for 4 months.
During this time, both SH29 and SH2 traffic will still be able to travel northbound onto SH2 Takitimu Drive, however traffic from SH29 to Fifteenth Ave will be detoured via SH2 Takitimu Drive to Elizabeth Street. SH2 traffic will still be able to travel to Fifteenth Ave.
The diversion is to allow construction of new lanes as part of the Takitimu North Link project.

SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road: The Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) will close for 4 nights, between 8pm and 4pm, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January and then again on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 February. The closures allow crews to complete road surfacing where a culvert was installed under the road, remove steel barriers and replace with flexible safety barriers in preparation for restoring traffic on the TELTR to 2 lanes in each direction.

Work starting soon

SH2 Mirrilees Road: Mirrilees Road off-ramp overnight resurfacing in February. The off-ramp will be closed for the night while work is taking place. More details will be provided closer to the time.

Work underway

SH2/Fifteenth Ave: One lane at SH2/Fifteenth Ave near Edgecumbe Road is closed while the new connection to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road takes place, this is likely to remain in place until mid-2026. Traffic management will be in place when the beams arrive and are lifted into place. More information

SH2/Pahoia/Esdaile intersection: Road widening works are underway at this intersection. A temporary speed restriction is in place. Please travel with care. More information

SH2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade: Road construction for a new roundabout. A temporary speed restriction is in place. More information

SH2 Te Puna, near Loop Road: A programme of ground investigations is continuing as part of the Takitimu North Link Stage 2 project. Upcoming work includes geotechnical drilling across 2 nights starting Thursday 22 January at Loop Road, Te Puna. Traffic management will be in place at the left turning bay on SH2 to Loop Road, with a closure in place during the day and a contraflow system in place, allowing traffic in both directions, at night. Testing will be carried out at the borehole location at night on Tuesday 27 January. Disruption to traffic is not anticipated, but people travelling through this area may notice these activities alongside SH2.

Minden Road North: Between the new roundabout and the Te Puna shops will be under stop/go traffic management, weekdays between 7.30am and 6pm. Road widening, drainage and pavements works continue with traffic management in place. This work is ongoing and will be in place until early in 2026.  

Eastern Bay of Plenty - State Highways 2, 35 and 38

Work underway

SH2/Wainui Road, Matekerepu, near Ōpōtiki: Most work has been completed and the roundabout is currently open to traffic. There is still a temporary speed limit of 50km/h in place. The roundabout is expected to be fully completed by April 2026. More information

SH2/Ōhiwa Beach Road/Waiōtahe Valley Back Road intersections near Ōpōtiki: Establishing works are in place in paddocks on either side of SH2 as construction of 2 new teardrop shaped roundabouts has begun. There will be a shoulder closure and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h although SH2 will remain open to 2-way traffic. From Tuesday 27 January, stop/go traffic management will be in place during daytime working hours only, reopened at night under a 30km/h temporary speed limit. Construction is expected to take approximately 12 months. More information

SH35 Tōrere: The priority give-way traffic management at Tōrere remains in place with completion of work expected in March. You can see photos of recent work in TREC’s end-of-year newsletter here

SH38 Waikaremoana: SH38 will be closed at night until Saturday 28 February between Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Tuai for essential Cyclone Gabrielle recovery work. The road will close from 8pm until 6am each night Sunday to Friday (6 nights a week). The road will be fully open on Saturdays and public holidays, including Auckland anniversary weekend 24-26 January (which is shared by Tairāwhiti and Bay of Plenty). More information

Rotorua - State Highways 5,28, 30 and 30A

Work starting next week

SH30A Amohau St – overnight closures: From Tuesday 27 January essential repairs to SH30A Amohau Street will begin using a sequence of overnight road closures. SH30A will be closed between Te Ngae Road and Fenton Street, from 8pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday (open Friday and Saturday nights). Crews will be setting up and disestablishing traffic management an hour either side of the closure times. During the day, the road will be open with a temporary speed limit. Work will start on the eastbound lanes of SH30A between Te Ngae Road and Hinemaru Street, before moving to the westbound lanes. Drivers should expect an uneven surface with ramps at each end of the worksite. The work is expected to take up to 3 months. More information

Work starting soon

SH30 Eastern Corridor – SH30/Wharenui Road intersection: In early February line-marking will be completed over 3 nights from 8.30pm until approximately 1am or when work is finished, with stop/go lane management in place on SH30 Te Ngae Road at the Wharenui Road intersection. Wharenui Road will be closed between the intersection of SH30 Te Ngae Road and Glenfield Road/Reeve Road, with access retained for residents and emergency services from the Glenfield Road/Reeve Road end. This work has been deferred from mid-January due to weather conditions. More information

Work underway

SH30 Collier Road, Rotorua: A road rebuild is underway between Collier Road and Apirana Road, taking 7 weeks to complete. Crews are working between 7am and 5pm each workday. There is stop/go traffic management along with a reduced speed limit. The surface may be uneven while work is ongoing.

SH5/SH28 Harwoods Road: There is 24/7 stop/go in place as roundabout construction continues at this intersection east of Tīrau. Traffic is being managed around a temporary roundabout, along with speed restrictions. The roundabout will be completed in March. More information

BOP summer renewals map

The map below indicates worksites which may impact your journeys this summer maintenance season.

More information

For more information on the Bay of Plenty state highway maintenance programme, contact us at BOPmaintenance@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website nzta.govt.nz/bop-maintenance

View our state highway maintenance frequently asked questions.

For information about what’s happening with other infrastructure projects across the region please visit Bay of Plenty projects website