Current situation
- State Highway 2 (SH2) through the Waioweka Gorge is closed following severe weather on Friday 16 January and multiple large slips.
- Following 2 weeks of intensive work, crews cleared and stabilised significant slips and debris through the gorge in an attempt to enable controlled access. Unfortunately, more material has fallen from the Goldsmith slip, making it unsafe to allow convoy traffic through.
- The scale of the task has been immense. Crews have been clearing massive slips, blocked culverts and widespread debris across 40 sites, including 8 sites with severe damage.
- We know how much people are wanting to travel between Ōpōtiki and Matawai. Restoring access matters, but doing it safely is critical.
- The Goldsmith slip remains unstable. Before we can allow controlled access, more loose material needs to come down.
- Our next step is to remove the remaining material so we can reopen the route under controlled conditions.
- The focus remains on restoring at least one lane of access. The road will re-open once it has been made safe and vehicles will initially be under convoy stop/go control. Our team is working through these arrangements.
- When we re-open, we ask people travelling this route to do so with caution, to follow the advice of traffic management crews, be patient and mindful that we may need to close the road at short notice if conditions change.
- Once access is restored, there will be months of recovery work to follow on this stretch of SH2 and it will remain an active worksite. We understand how critical this route is. 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.
Latest updates
Recovery updates with the latest information can be found here:
Weather planning
- If orange or red weather alerts remain in place, crews will stay out of the Gorge. This approach prioritises safety.
Community travel information
SH2 road closure information
Ōpōtiki end
- 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 end
- 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 remains open, but a long detour via SH5 is required.
- There is a significant increase in traffic on SH2 south of Gisborne, with high volumes of vehicles continuing through to Bayview, Hawkes Bay. Drivers are reminded to drive to the conditions, allow extra time, and remain patient.
- Travellers should delay travel where possible or allow significantly more time if detouring via SH5.
- NZTA is actively monitoring MetService weather warnings, which may affect progress and travel conditions.
- People are encouraged to check the NZTA Journey Planner for up-to-date information before travelling:
Journey planner(external link)
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.
Reopening the Gorge
- 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.
Sign up to receive updates here:
Subscribe for updates on SH2 Waioweka Gorge(external link)
Recovery site map
View larger site map [PDF, 6.9 MB]
