Recovery works get underway in Waioweka Gorge

Recovery works in the Waioweka Gorge on State Highway 2 (SH2) are ramping up with contracts now in place to help restore full operation of the state highway after weather events earlier this year, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.  

“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,” Mr Bishop says.  

“Stellar Projects has been appointed as project managers, Beca is providing design services, and physical works contracts have been signed with Geovert and Waiotahi Contractors Ltd. This will ensure specialist geotechnical capability is complemented by local delivery expertise on the ground.

“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 is the largest slip on SH2 in the Waioweka Gorge. 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. 

“Planning is well underway to repair the slip quickly and safely. Installation of a rockfall barrier system will begin later this month. From Sunday 21 June, there will be evening closures for 10 nights, from 9pm to 5am. Work will take place Sunday to Thursday, with no work on Friday or Saturday nights. 

“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.

“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. 

“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. Road users should continue to keep an eye on conditions, as well as updates on the NZTA journey planner.

“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.

“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 due to consider updated options for investment in coming months, with a briefing provided to Ministers for endorsement. The scope of the work is expected to be a mix of slope stabilisation, rockfall protection, and further drainage improvements to address known critical and high-risk sites.

“I want to thank everyone involved in keeping the road open to this point, including local East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick who has been a strong advocate for resilience investment in this important piece of roading infrastructure.”

Notes to the editor: 

NZTA is currently investing around $33 million into the recovery works in Waioweka Gorge. This includes around $25 million to return the road to its previous level of service, and a further $8 million in targeted improvements.
The repair at the Goldsmith slip site includes the installation of a rockfall barrier system (attenuator) designed to capture and slow falling rocks and debris as it moves down the slope, protecting the road at the bottom. Installation of the barrier system is weather dependent.
Confirmation of the scope of works expected to be delivered through the Budget 2026 funding will be confirmed in due course, once the NZTA Board and Joint Ministers have considered the options for investment. Sites identified for investment will address critical and high-risk sites identified through NZTA’s National Resilience Assessment Tool (NRAT)
The NRAT is an easily accessible digital tool that provides a nationally consistent overview of all the resilience disruption risks on the transport network. The tool makes it easier to assess, prioritise, monitor, and report on state highway damage/disruptions and network resilience more efficiently and effectively and allows funding to be targeted to the most critical sites. ...