A very large slip has come down onto State Highway 2 at Waiotahe Beach between Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne this afternoon, closing the road between Waiotahi Valley Back Road and Paerata Ridge Road.
The slip is approximately 70–80 metres long and 20–30 metres high and covers both lanes.
Geotechnical engineers are on their way to assess the slip, which is still moving.
The highway was under stop/go traffic management at the time while contractors were in the process of clearing an old slip. A van travelling through the site was pushed over by falling debris as the new slip came down.
There are no reports of injuries.
There is a detour available for light vehicles via Paerata Ridge Road to Verall Road.
The road will remain closed overnight. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises it may take some days to clear such a substantial slip and re-open the road.
This traffic bulletin will be updated as more information comes to hand.
