Major milestone reached in Waioweka Gorge recovery
A new rockfall protection system at the Goldsmith slip site in Waioweka Gorge enables two-way traffic resumption early next month following months of closure due to severe weather.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced the installation of a new rockfall protection system at the Goldsmith slip site in the Waioweka Gorge, marking a significant step in recovery efforts for State Highway 2. The system, described as a 'rockfall attenuator,' uses flexible high-tensile steel wire mesh, cables, and energy-absorbing components to slow and control falling rocks, reducing risks to road users. The site has been closed to two-way traffic since January due to severe weather impacts in the eastern Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti.
More than 20,000 cubic metres of material came down at the Goldsmith slip site, closing the critical freight route for over three weeks. The new protection system has already captured over 10 cubic metres of falling material shortly after installation, demonstrating its effectiveness. Alongside this, drainage improvements, pavement repairs, and finishing works are underway to prepare the site for reopening.
The site is expected to reopen to two-way traffic early next month, restoring a vital transport link between the Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti. The recovery work follows months of geotechnical investigations, slope scaling, stabilisation activities, and specialist construction in a challenging environment, with the NZ Transport Agency leading the effort.
NZ Transport Agency is delivering around $33 million of recovery and resilience work in the Gorge, with an additional $75 million allocated through Budget 2026 for the wider corridor between Ōpōtiki and Matawai. A number of sites are being assessed for inclusion in the resilience package, with work expected to begin by April 2027.