SH2 at Waioweka Gorge shut for rest of day

Waioweka Gorge on State Highway 2 between the East Coast and Bay of Plenty will remain closed for the rest of Tuesday as heavy rain continues to threaten the region.

NZTA Waka Kotahi said it planned to reassess the road once the weather warning was lifted, with an inspection planned for first light on Wednesday.

"There are 2 sites in particular that we'll be paying attention to - Goldsmith Slip and the Rockfall Rockfill site where rocks and debris have fallen on the road," NZTA said.

Road freight association Transporting New Zealand estimated the closure of Waioweka Gorge cost freight operators and their customers more than $500,000 a week through additional travel distance, delays and disruption to supply chains.

The road was initially closed on Monday evening amid an orange heavy rain warning from MetService.

The transport agency described the route as "especially vulnerable in poor weather".

Since the initial precautionary closure, the agency said rocks and debris had fallen on the road.

MetService extended its regional heavy rain forecast to a further 60mm-100mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, leading to the extended closure.

The forecaster said peak rates of 10mm/h to 20mm/h were to be expected, but 25mm/h to 40mm/h in possible localised downpours.

NZTA said no convoys would be escorted through the gorge during the closure.

Transporting New Zealand membership manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman said road closures were a significant cost to local communities and businesses.

"Waioweka Gorge is a critical freight corridor, carrying large volumes of heavy vehicles and connecting businesses and communities across their regions.

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"When these regional roads are closed by severe weather, there are often few practical alternatives, particularly for freight operators working within delivery schedules and driver worktime requirements."

The Government committed $400 million for state highway resilience projects in last week's Budget 2026, aimed at helping keep critical transport routes open during and after severe weather events.