Roadworks over the ANZAC long weekend  

Most roadworks will pause for ANZAC weekend with contractors shutting down sites from midday today, Friday 24 April. We do this to reduce disruption for people travelling during the holiday period. 

Work will start again Tuesday 28 April. 

Crews will remain on the network responding to pothole repairs, responding to incidents, or carrying out essential work at key sites. If you’re planning to travel State Highway 5 Napier-Taupō Road, be prepared for delays near the Harapaki Wind Farm, Te Haroto – active traffic management will be in place here over the weekend.

Closures

SH38 between Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Tuai: Day closures continue until Friday 5 June, between 8am and 12pm and 1pm and 5pm, Monday to Saturday (6 days each week). The road will be open from 12pm to 1pm to allow traffic to pass through. 

ANZAC weekend hours: The road will reopen for the long weekend from 12pm (midday) today, Friday 24 April and close again at 8am on Tuesday 28 April with the usual closure schedule.

 SH2 Kennedy Road northbound offramp: The Hawke’s Bay Expressway offramp will remain closed until mid-2027 to allow for construction of the new overpass at Kennedy Road.

Upcoming roadworks

State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway

Work is progressing across 3 major structures on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) project. Here’s what to expect:

SH2 Kennedy Road overpass 
The offramp will remain closed until mid-2027 to allow for construction of the new overpass at Kennedy Road. Northbound road users can exit the Expressway via Taradale Road. 

Machinery is on site and temporary traffic management is in place at the Kennedy Road overpass. Work to install the 32 piles that will create a stable base for the new structure is underway. Construction is expected to be complete by mid-2027.

SH2 Tutaekuri River Bridge 
Piling work at the Tutaekuri River Bridge is now complete and the next phase of construction is now underway. You’ll begin to see tall concrete columns, with a pier head being placed on top. These will form the foundations that support the deck of the new Tutaekuri River Bridge.

SH2 Meeanee Road overpass

Temporary traffic management is in place 24/7 until construction of the new overpass is complete in early 2027. 

·         Right turns from Meeanee Road onto the northbound onramp (toward Napier) are no longer available. If you need to join the Expressway heading north, the detour for all vehicles is to continue down Meeanee Road, turn onto Lee Road, Gloucester Street, Kennedy Road, and onto Taradale Road. 

·         Left turns from Meeanee Road onto the northbound onramp (toward Napier) are still available. 

These changes have been put in place to keep traffic flowing along Meeanee Road, and reduce disruption, while keeping everyone safe. 

State Highway 5 Napier to Taupō 

SH5 up from the SH5/SH2 intersection, Eskdale 
Drainage works will be underway next week during the day from Tuesday 28 April until Friday 1 May, 9am to 3pm each day.  Expect up to 15 minute delays during the work hours as 3-way stop/go traffic management will be in place during work hours. 

SH5 near Harapaki Wind Farm, Te Haroto

Due to weather impacts, this road rebuild has been extended. Work will be underway next week from Tuesday 28 April, 7am til 5pm, Monday to Friday. Stop/go traffic management will be in place, some delays expected. This work is dependent on weather.

ANZAC weekend hours: Active stop/go traffic management will be in place over the long weekend from midday Friday 24 April until Tuesday 28 April to maintain the pavement until work can be completed next week. Expect loose chip and possible delays of up to 15 minutes.

State Highway 2 North

SH2 Mōhaka

Underslip repairs and stormwater drainage improvements are underway until the end of May, near the intersection of Mōhaka Township Road.

Crews are working from 7am-5pm, Monday to Friday. The road will be reduced to 1 lane under stop/go traffic management for the duration of the project so crews can work safely. Delays of 5 minutes are expected. 

SH2 Tangoio Falls Scenic Reserve 

Retaining wall repairs are underway and expected to take around 9 weeks, weather permitting. Crews will stabilise the slope under the wall using ground anchors and sprayed concrete. Work will run from 7:30am-6pm, Monday to Friday. The road will be reduced to 1 lane under stop/go traffic management so crews can work safely. Delays of 5 minutes are expected.