Night closures for Goldsmith Slip stabilisation in SH2 Waioweka Gorge

Night closures will begin next weekend on State Highway 2 (SH2) Waioweka Gorge as critical work starts to stabilise the Goldsmith Slip.   

Night closures and daytime stop/go traffic management are needed, so a large crane can carry out drilling and installation work for a rockfall attenuator.   

On Saturday 6 June, the Waioweka Gorge will be closed for one night, from 9pm to 5am, so crews can begin initial drilling and investigation work. A one-hour window from 1am to 2am will allow freight through. 

 From Sunday 21 June, there will be further closures for 10 nights, from 9pm to 5am, as installation continues. Work will take place Sunday to Thursday, with no work on Friday or Saturday nights. A one-hour window from 1am to 2am will again allow freight through.   

 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.  

 Other recovery work will continue throughout the Gorge under stop/go traffic management.  

SH38 slip repair work continues

Work to repair five slips under the road on State Highway 38 (SH38) is progressing well, with crews expected to complete four of the Cyclone Gabrielle sites by early June.

The remaining site at Rosie Bay has proved challenging due to hard ground conditions and recent weather impacts. As a result, works at this site are now expected to be completed by Friday 17 July.

Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) is completing the work, on behalf of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

Road closures are currently in place so work can be completed. Full closures are required because the road isn’t wide enough for construction work to take place alongside a single lane of traffic.  

Closure times and dates are as follows:

Monday 2 March to Friday 5 June 2026

SH38 will be closed between Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Tuai:

• 8am to midday and 1pm to 5pm

• Monday to Saturday (6 days each week)

The road will be open before 8am, between 12pm and 1pm, after 5pm, and all day Sundays.

There will be no access to Rosie Bay Campsite or the Great Walk entrance at Onepoto Bay during the closure times.

Monday 8 June to Friday 17 July 2026

The closure area will shorten, and access to the Great Walk entrance at Onepoto Bay will be available for those travelling from Wairoa.

SH38 will be closed between Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Onepoto Road:

• 8am to midday and 1pm to 5pm

• Monday to Friday (5 days each week)

The road will be open before 8am, between 12pm and 1pm, after 5pm, and all day Saturdays

and Sundays.

There will be no access to Rosie Bay Campsite during the closure times.

There are no viable detours, so please plan ahead.