Waioweka Gorge Recovery Moves Into New Phase

Recovery works in the Waioweka Gorge are stepping up, with major contracts now in place to restore full access to State Highway 2 following severe weather events earlier this year.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said work is shifting from emergency response to longer-term recovery and resilience improvements along the key East Coast freight route.

"Following the severe weather events in January 2026, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has worked hard to keep the road open. They are now focused on longer-term recovery works, with the aim of restoring full access to SH2 and removing the need for ongoing traffic management," Bishop said.

"This is a significant step towards restoring this critical freight lifeline back to full operation as quickly as possible. The recovery and resilience work being delivered includes replacing damaged culverts and drains, improving 312 culverts to better manage rainfall, as well as stabilising larger slip sites such as Goldsmith slip."

The Goldsmith slip remains the largest slip site on SH2 in the gorge, after more than 20,000 cubic metres of debris came down.

"More than 20,000 cubic metres of debris fell onto SH2 because of recent weather events, closing this key freight route for over three weeks."

As part of the recovery effort, workers are installing a rockfall attenuator at the slip site.

The system uses a large steel net and concrete barrier designed to slow and capture falling rocks and debris before they reach the road.

NZTA said the barrier will provide a near-permanent solution at the site and allow the road to return to two-way traffic while reducing the likelihood of future closures.

To allow installation work to continue, SH2 through the Waioweka Gorge will be closed overnight from 9pm to 5am for 10 nights from Sunday 21 June.

Work will take place Sunday to Thursday, with no work scheduled on Fridays or Saturdays.

A one-hour opening between 1am and 2am will allow freight traffic through the gorge.

"We need to close SH2 while workers are doing the installation work using a crane to do the drilling," NZTA said.

The agency said the crane occupied most of the road corridor while drilling work was underway.

Bishop said NZTA was working with freight operators and local communities to minimise disruption.

"A one-hour window from 1am to 2am will allow freight through, and NZTA is working closely with the freight industry and local communities to help minimise disruption as much as possible."

Installation of the steel netting is expected to begin in early July and will be carried out during the day under the existing stop/go traffic management system at the slip site.

"From early July, installation of the steel net will begin. This work will be carried out during the day under the current stop/go traffic management in place at the Goldsmith Slip."

Bishop acknowledged the impact ongoing closures have had on road users and businesses.

"I want to thank everyone for their ongoing patience as this work is carried out. I know the disruption has been frustrating, but this resilience work is critical to help reduce the risk of further unplanned road closures."

The minister said the economic consequences of closures on the route were significant.

"The regular unplanned closures show just how important targeted resilience improvements are in the Waioweka Gorge. When the road closes, the economic impact is significant, with regional losses estimated at around $8 million for every day the route is shut."

The government announced in Budget 2026 that around $75 million would be invested in further resilience improvements between Ōpōtiki and Matawai.

"We know the impact is significant. That's why, in Budget 2026, the Government committed around $75 million in funding for further resilience work to target some of the most vulnerable sections of the corridor between Ōpōtiki and Matawai."

The NZTA Board is expected to consider updated investment options in the coming months, with proposals likely to include slope stabilisation, rockfall protection and drainage upgrades at high-risk sites.

"I want to thank everyone involved in keeping the road open to this point."