Flooding has closed SH38 between Lake Waikaremoana and Wairoa and SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Ormond.
An earlier closure of SH35 between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay has now been lifted and that road is open, however a slip has closed a stretch of SH35 further north near the intersection with Hiruharama Road near Ruatoria.
SH35 from Te Puia Springs to Tolaga Bay CLOSED
SH35 at Ruatoria, near intersection with Hiruharama Road CLOSED
SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Ormond CLOSED
SH2 between Gisborne south to Wairoa OPEN
SH2 between Wairoa and the Eskdale turn off CLOSED
SH38 between Lake Waikaremoana to Wairoa CLOSED
“The heavy rain has left silt and surface flooding across our Gisborne region on our roads and we’re really urging all road users to avoid all unnecessary travel,” says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s National Journey Manager Helen Harris.
“Roading crews are out doing what they can and as they continue to assess the roads they’re finding more and more silt, so please if you are out driving on any roads currently open, drive to the conditions, and expect the unexpected – the possibility of fallen trees, debris, more slips.”
Please note this information can change rapidly – ensure you check the latest weather conditions with MetService, and consult the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link) for the most up to date information on road closures.
For those who are unable to access the internet at this stage, please keep tuned to local radio for the latest Civil Defence advice.
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.
