State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge, east of Ōpōtiki, is closed due to a significant slip. The closure was confirmed by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency following heavy rain in the region.
A detour is available via State Highway 35, which adds significant travel time. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner for the latest updates before traveling.
Contractors are on-site assessing the damage, but there is no estimated timeframe for when the highway will reopen. The slip has completely blocked the road, and geotechnical assessments are required before cleanup can begin.
The Bay of Plenty region east of the Whakatāne River was under a heavy rain warning over the weekend, which is believed to have contributed to the instability causing the slip.
