Bluff Road between Matarangi and Rings Beach continues to be closed to the public due to health and safety concerns around slips.

Thames-Coromandel District Council roading manager Matt Busch says anyone who is caught trying to remove protective fences or go through the closed site is likely to be prosecuted.

Council made the decision earlier this year to close a major section of Bluff Road where a significant rock fall occurred. But in the past week portions of the fence at either end of the road closure have been removed and a track has been formed along the bolders of the rock fall.

Matt reiterates: 'This area is not safe to the public and shouldn't be accessed.”

'The area was fenced off to prevent public entering as there is potential for further rock falls here. Anyone going on site or removing the fences will be committing offences against a number of acts, with prosecution likely to result in significant fines.

'We're very interested in hearing from anyone who may have any information regarding responsibility for this action.”

There are other ways members of the public can get between Kuaotunu and Matarangi, by either driving the state highway or using the Department of conservation track to walk between Rings Beach and Matarangi.

If you have any information about people entering the closed off section and/or removing portions of the fence contact Thames-Coromandel District Council's customer services team via email: customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz or by calling 07 868 0200.

KENNEDY BAY ROAD OPEN

Kennedy Bay Road north of Colville was reopened in mid-December and weight restrictions for heavy vehicles travelling on this road have also been removed.

'We've completed the last of the fixed on December 16 which included soil nailing and completing a retaining wall,” explains Matt.

'Temporary sight rails are now being installed on both sites over the Christmas period with a guardrail scheduled for installation in January. During this time stop/go traffic management will be in place.”

All this repair work comes after several extreme weather events earlier this year which saw two large slips take out several sections of the road in winter.

Kennedy Bay Road in June earlier this year/ Photo: TCDC