The full force of Cyclone Gabrielle is making itself known in the Coromandel and East Waikato, causing extremely dangerous driving conditions due to slips, flooding, storm surges and debris on the roads.
The situation is expected to deteriorate further overnight.
Some communities on the east coast of the Peninsula are already cut off, and many more will be in that situation if the Karangahake Gorge closes later tonight.
The Gorge is being monitored and a traffic management team is in place to ensure a closure can be implemented quickly should flooding occur.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency urges everyone that can stay home to stay home.
Staying home keeps you safe and helps emergency services get to people in need. It means our contractors can also move around the network more efficiently, speeding up response times.
Slips can occur anywhere on the roading network.
If you must travel, please check the Journey Planner (www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) for the most up to date information on incidents on the network.
SH2 Pokeno to Paeroa: OPEN
SH2 Paeroa to Waihi South inc. Karangahake Gorge: OPEN FOR NOW
The Karangahake Gorge is being monitored and a traffic management team is in place to ensure a closure can be implemented should flooding occur.
Should the Gorge close, SH29 will become the main connection across the Coromandel-Kaimai range.
SH25 Kopu to Thames: OPEN
The Kauaeranga Spill Way outside Thames Airfield is being monitored and traffic management is in place ready to be implemented should flooding occur. This may occur as high tide approaches tonight.
SH25 Thames to Coromandel: OPEN - ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY
Due to numerous slips, surface flooding, fallen vegetation and debris on the road, extreme caution is advised.
SH25 Coromandel to Kūaotunu: CLOSED
Fully closed due to slips on the Coromandel / Whangapoua Hill and immediately west of Kūaotunu.
SH25 Kūaotunu to Whitianga: COMPROMISED – STREAM LEVELS ARE FLUCTUATING
Stream levels at Wharekaho are fluctuating and extreme caution must be exercised if travelling between Whitianga and Wharekaho. Travelling this route in darkness is not advised.
SH25 Whitianga to Tairua: OPEN - ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY
A fallen tree is blocking one lane at Whenuakite.
Due to slips, surface flooding, fallen vegetation and debris on the road - extreme caution is advised on the rest of this section.
SH25 Tairua to Hikuai: CLOSED
Fully closed between Tairua and Hikuai due to flooding. Multiple fallen trees are also blocking the road between the Hikuai River Bridge and Hikuai Settlement Road.
For safety reasons the Tairua to Hikuai closure will not be manned tonight but traffic management resources are located at Hikuai and Tairua for emergency requirements.
SH25 Hikuai to Waihi: OPEN - ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY
A fallen tree is blocking the SH25 Whangamata Bypass, a local road detour is available but is suitable for light vehicles only.
Due to small slips, surface flooding, and debris on the road, extreme caution is advised on the rest of this section.
SH26 Morrinsville to Te Aroha: OPEN
SH26 Te Aroha to Paeroa: OPEN
SH26 Paeroa to Kopu: OPEN - ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY
Due to surface flooding, fallen vegetation and debris on the road, extreme caution is advised on the rest of this section.
SH25A - FULLY CLOSED OVER THE COMPLETE LENGTH
Next High Tide Thames – 14/02 01:40am
Next High Tide Whitianga – 14/02 01:45am
Overnight - check the latest weather conditions with MetService, and consult Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link) for the most up to date information on road closures.
Journey Planner is updated 24/7 by Waka Kotahi traffic operations centres and is the best source of the most recent and reliable information available on state highway closures and disruptions. Remember to refresh the page when checking the status of highways to ensure that the latest updates are displayed.
