Waioweka Gorge Recovery Work Moves Into Major New Phase

NZ Transport Agency has appointed Stellar Projects as project manager, while Beca will provide design services for the programme.

Recovery work on State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge is entering a major new stage, with key contracts now signed to help restore full access to one of the Eastern North Island's most important transport routes. Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the focus is shifting from emergency response to long-term recovery after severe weather events in January 2026 caused significant damage across the corridor. The highway has remained open with traffic management measures in place, though work is now underway to remove those restrictions and strengthen the route against future weather-related disruptions.

Specialist Teams Brought In for Recovery Effort

NZ Transport Agency has appointed Stellar Projects as the project manager, while Beca will provide design services for the programme. Construction work will be delivered by Geovert and Waiotahi Contractors Ltd, combining specialist geotechnical expertise with local knowledge and on-the-ground capability.

The recovery programme includes replacing damaged culverts and drainage systems, upgrading 312 culverts to better manage heavy rainfall, and stabilising several major slip sites that continue to pose risks to road users. Officials say these improvements are designed to make the highway more resilient during extreme weather and reduce the likelihood of future closures.

Goldsmith Slip Remains Key Focus

The largest project involves the Goldsmith Slip, the biggest slip site on SH2 within the Waioweka Gorge. More than 20,000 cubic metres of debris crashed onto the highway during recent storms, forcing the closure of the critical freight route for more than three weeks.

Preparations are advancing for permanent repairs, with installation of a rockfall barrier system scheduled to begin later this month. From 21 June, the highway will close overnight for ten nights between 9pm and 5am from Sunday to Thursday. Freight vehicles will still be able to pass through during a one-hour access window between 1am and 2am. Work to install a steel protective net will begin in early July and will be carried out during the day under the existing stop-go traffic management system.

More Funding Planned for Future Resilience

The government says the importance of strengthening the corridor has become increasingly clear as repeated weather events continue to disrupt travel and freight movement. According to estimates, every day the route is closed results in economic losses of around $8 million across the region.

Budget 2026 included approximately $75 million for further resilience projects along the SH2 corridor between Ōpōtiki and Matawai. Planned upgrades are expected to include slope stabilisation work, additional rockfall protection measures and drainage improvements at several high-risk locations.

Bishop said the investment is intended to reduce the risk of unexpected closures while protecting a transport route that plays a vital role in supporting local communities, businesses and freight operators across the East Coast.