More Than 40 People Rescued From Waioeka Gorge After Slips Close State Highway 2

The road between Ōpōtiki and Matawai closed yesterday following heavy rain in the area, which caused a number of slips and flooding.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney says helicopters rescued everyone stuck between the slips by midnight.

She says another eight people in two private addresses will be evacuated this morning.

“It’s been a significant effort to reach so many people who were trapped, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of local helicopter pilots, New Zealand Defence Force staff, local and regional councils, and Police Search and Rescue staff,” says Cooney.

“It’s been a long operation, but we’re just thankful that everyone is safe – everyone we know about has been accounted for.”

She says the evacuated motorists were taken to a local campsite where a Defence Force NH90 helicopter took them to evacuation centres at Matawai and Ōpōtiki.

“The recovery of the vehicles will take some time, given the significant damage and number of slips through the gorge, but the main thing is nobody was hurt,” she says.

NZTA says the road will remain closed over the weekend, and an update will be provided on Monday morning.

It says drivers should allow extra time for a long detour.

A detour via State Highway 5, although it will be unavailable from 9pm Sunday, 18 Jan, due to a SH2 closure in Tutira, and a detour via SH35 will be in place instead.