NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is gearing up for a busy summer with significant renewal work scheduled across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato to ensure the region's highways are safe and accessible. 

Sandra King, NZTA Bay of Plenty System Manager, said road users will notice more road crews and work sites over the next few months – from now through to the end of March 2025. 

"We’re doing as much work as possible between now and mid-December to reduce the impact on people's journeys during the busy holiday season. However, to achieve this we are also heavily reliant on the weather and other factors co-operating.  

"This year's maintenance programme aims to renew around 110 single lane kilometres in the Bay of Plenty and around 180 in the Waikato (excluding the Tīrau to Waiouru project), aiming to give drivers safer, smoother journeys, and to keep our highways in good condition.  

“We appreciate road users slowing down around our crews, who work long days and nights through summer when other people are enjoying road trips. 

“Specialist sealing crews will generally move sequentially along a stretch of highway, but it’s also highly likely one stretch of highway could have several different specialist crews working at the same time. As a result people may strike more than one traffic management site on the same trip, especially on higher volume state highways," she said. 

To plan ahead and see where disruptive works are, people can use the NZTA Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) This is kept up to date in real time so you can see all disruptive activity and potential hazards on the state highway network.    

Bay of Plenty 

Tauranga

·       SH2 Takitimu North Link Stage 1: Daytime shoulder closures and stop/go traffic management on Minden Road continue until mid-December while utility works are underway.  

·       SH2/Fifteenth Ave: Major works to build the connection from Fifteenth Ave to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road are underway. Works involve the building of a 120m large retaining wall and earthworks, prior to the Fifteenth Ave bridge construction. One lane at SH2/Fifteenth Ave near Edgcumbe Road will be closed while this work takes place. This is likely to remain in place until mid-2026. Local residents and those passing through this area should be prepared for disruption over the construction season; there will be delays and changes to the road layout as we complete this work. 

·       SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 70km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link Stage 1 crews are working behind the barriers. More information 

·       Cambridge/Moffat roads:  There will be stop/go on Cambridge Road from Monday 24 September for 2 weeks (weather dependent). This is for the final footpath, kerbing, and Island installation work. Traffic management will be in place from 9am to 3pm More Information 

·       SH2 Bay Link: SH2 Bayfair flyover will be closed overnight from Sunday 22 September to Wednesday 25 September, between approximately 8pm and 5am each night. For all vehicles heading southbound, a signposted detour via Maunganui Road/SH29 Te Maunga Interchange will apply. For all vehicles heading northbound, a signposted detour via SH29 Te Maunga Interchange/Maunganui Road will apply. Exeter Street will be closed overnight Tuesday 24 September between approximately 8pm and 5am. Vehicle access to properties within this closure will be available via Eversham Road. For all vehicles heading southbound, a signposted detour via Maunganui Road, SH29 Te Maunga Interchange, SH29A roundabout, Maunganui Road, Bayfair roundabout, Girven Road and Eversham Road will apply. For more information and detour routes, visit nzta.govt.nz/baylink-traffic 

·       SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): The Tauranga City Council led project continues. A 2km section of SH2, just past the Kaituna River bridge continues to be reduced to a single lane in each direction to allow construction of the Pāpāmoa East interchange to progress. This closure will remain in place for the duration of construction, with a temporary 70km/h speed limit in place. More information. 

·       SH2 TELTR: The Quayside Properties Ltd-led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers remain in place until the first week of November 2024, with 1 lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site. More information. 

Western Bay of Plenty 

·       SH2 Ōmokoroa Road: Road widening and service relocation works are underway in preparation for the new roundabout. Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. Expect minor delays especially during peak times. More information.  

·       SH2 / Youngson Road, near Ōmokoroa: As part of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council led Ōmokoroa Roundabout project, from 25 September through to 26 October Youngson Road will be closed. This is to enable contractors to install critical services such as power and fibre. A detour is available via Old Highway joining SH2 at Barrett Road.  

·       SH2 Apata Station Road: Road widening works are underway in preparation for the new roundabout. Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. Expect minor delays. 

·       SH2 Te Puna: Night works continue near the Te Puna roundabout and are expected to be completed by Tuesday 24 September, depending on weather. During the day, a reduced speed limit will be in place due to changes in the road's surface levels. Ramps will help traffic transition through the site.  

·       SH29 Tauriko/Redwood Lane: SH29 Tauriko/Redwood Lane: Construction continues on the Tauriko Enabling Works project across multiple work sites on SH29, with shoulder closures and mobile operations in place. People are asked to drive and cycle with extra care, particularly between Redwood Lane and Belk Road and between Gargan and Cambridge Roads, and adhere to the reduced speed limits. Through the Tauriko Village/Cambridge Road section people can expect to see site establishment activity including vegetation clearance, surveying and ecology works, with shoulder closures and intermittent mobile traffic operations. More information. 

·       SH2 Pongakawa: Road rehabilitation continues on SH2 near Pongakawa School Road. This work is expected to be completed in early October, with contractors on site from 6am to 6pm Monday to Saturday with stop/go traffic management in place, delays are to be expected. 

·       SH2 Ōtamarākau: Road rehabilitation continues on SH2 near Ōtamarākau Valley Road. This work is expected to take 6 weeks, with completion expected mid-October Crews are on site from 6am to 6pm Monday to Saturday with stop/go traffic management in place, delays are to be expected. 

Rotorua 

·       SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Construction continues on SH30 between Tumene Drive and Ōwhata roundabout. Night works on SH30 Te Ngae Road are scheduled for the new seal and line marking on Monday 30 September and Tuesday 1 October, weather dependent. Detours for these works will be in place via Vaughan Road/Ōwhata Road. A temporary speed limit of 50km/h remains in place between Tumene Drive and the Ōwhata roundabout until resurfacing is completed. More information 

·       SH30 Rotorua: A full road closure of SH30 Sala Street is needed for road rebuild works, starting Monday 30 September, between 8am and 4pm each day, for 2 weeks. The road closure will be in place between Scott Street and McIntyre Avenue, with temporary traffic management in place, allowing resident access only. During the closure, vehicles will be detoured westbound via SH30A Te Ngae Road, Amohau Street to Pukuatua Street, left into SH5 Old Taupō Road and left on to SH30 Hemo Road, and in reverse for eastbound. 

·       SH36 Mangorewa Gorge: Work is progressing well between Mangorewa Gorge and Hamurana. Stop/go traffic lights remain in place 24/7 with one lane closed from the Mangorewa track to just south of the worksite. This work is due to be completed by Friday 27 September. More information 

Eastern Bay of Plenty 

·       SH34 Kawerau: Road rebuild work has begun at Onepū near Kawerau, expected to take 5 weeks and completed late October, weather permitting. SH34 will be closed between Charteris Lane and the SH30 intersection between 8am and 4pm each day. There will be a detour in place via SH34 for all vehicles.  

·       SH2 Pekatahi Bridge: The Pekatahi Bridge will be closed for scheduled maintenance for up to 5 days during school holidays, from Monday 30 September to midday Friday 4 October, with work to take place on Friday 4 September in the afternoon if required. Contractors will be repairing and replacing damaged decking planks and undertaking general maintenance. The daytime bridge closure will be between 8.30am and 4.3pm each day. The northbound detour for all vehicles is via Tāneatua Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and onto SH30 towards Awakeri, southbound traffic will use the same route in reverse. 

·       SH38 Rangitaiki Bridge: Work has started on bridge repairs near Murupara and are expected to take up to 3 months to complete. At times during the work there will be short periods of stop/stop traffic management in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h.

·       SH35 Opape: Slip repair work continues near Opape Beach Road and is expected to finish in late September. The work will take place between 6am and 6pm each day, with a lane closure and stop/go traffic management. Motorists can expect delays of up to 10 minutes. 

·       SH2 Waioeka Road, near Ōpōtiki: From Monday 16 September, road rehabilitation will take place between Warrington Road and Clark Ross Road, this work is expected to take 6 weeks to complete. On weekdays between 7.30am and 4.30pm there will be 4-way stop/go traffic management in place at the SH2 Matchitt Road and Apanui Road intersection. 

·       SH2 Waioeka Gorge: Strengthening repairs continue on the Manganuku Bridge. The repairs, which include steel works, pad repairs and water blasting will take approximately 3 months with completion at the end of October. While the work is underway a temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place throughout the worksite. 

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay 

·       SH5 Napier to Taupō: Recovery alliance Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) continues to progress safety improvements, as well as repair, recovery and maintenance activities at multiple sites on SH5 between Eskdale and Waipunga. More information. 

Waikato 

SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru 

·       First Closure: Underway until Friday 4 October, from the roundabout just south of Tīrau (SH1/SH5) to the intersection of SH28 with SH1 just north of Putāruru. The detour is via SH28 and SH5. Both Tīrau and Putāruru townships will not be affected by these closures, these are still fully open for business as usual.  

·       Second closure: From Ātiamuri (SH1/30 intersection) to Wairakei (SH1/SH5 intersection). Currently closed during the day Monday to Saturday, between 8am and 6pm, from Friday 16 September until Friday 4 October. The road will re-open at nights from 6pm - 8am and on Sundays. Detours for light vehicles (ie all vehicles you can drive on a Class 1 licence) is via SH30, SH32 and Poihipi Road down to Wairakei Drive. This will add approximately 40km and 27 minutes extra to journeys. For all heavy vehicles, the detour will be via SH30 and SH5 which is an additional 62kms and approximately 42 minutes. Outside closure hours the road will be open in both directions with a temporary speed limit in place.  

·       Third closure: From SH29 Piarere to North Tīrau: 29 September for 3 weeks (night closure only). Detour via SH29 and SH28.   

·       SH32 Tokoroa to SH30 Ātiamuri: Early October – early November 2024. All north and south bound vehicles will be detoured 24/7. SH1 traffic heading to Taupō and further south will be detoured via SH32 and SH30 and vice versa.  It is estimated that the detour will add around 34 minutes, and 47.4km to the journey. 

There will be more closures along SH1 over the next 16 months as part of intense rebuild and repair work.  All work before Christmas 2024 will be north of Taupō. You can keep up to date by signing up to the e-newsletter: more information 

An alternative route for those travelling longer distances, such as Hamilton to Waiouru is to take SH49, SH4 and SH3 (or vice versa). SH4 is now suitable for HPMV for the duration of the SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru renewal project.  

East Waikato 

·       SH25: Repairs to an underslip at Tramway Gully between Hikuai and Opoutere is underway, with stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place 24/7 to ensure safety for both the crew on site and people driving through. This work is expected to be finished later this month. Drainage improvement works in the area will start soon after and are expected to take a few weeks to complete. Outside of working hours stop/go traffic management and a shoulder closure will be in place. Slip repairs are also underway between Kūaotunu and Wharekaho. A temporary speed limit and stop/go traffic management will be in place during working hours, with a shoulder closure outside working hours. Work is expected to start later this month at Pumpkin Hill and near Matarangi. Another slip repair in Te Kouma is due to start in October, with work expected to finish in November.  More information  

Central Waikato 

·       SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to 1 lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place. Works to repair the washout continue and will be completed in early October. 

West Waikato 

·       SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works required to get the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway up to 110km/h standard continue, with the aim of being completed by Christmas. All traffic is currently using the southbound lanes, to allow for work to be completed faster on the northbound lanes, while the work is taking place there is a reduced speed limit of 50km/h and through the transitions the speed limit is 30km/h. For the next several weeks a detour is underway where SH1C and SH1 merge. SH1C is closed to northbound traffic after the Lake Road off-ramp, with all northbound SH1C traffic from Te Rapa/Horotiu turning at the Northern interchange, heading south on SH1 to turn around at Resolution interchange and proceed north on SH1. The detour will add about 8 minutes to journeys. Detour map 

·       SH39 Burbush, Hamilton: Road resurfacing is programmed for SH39 Koura Drive from Sunday 29 September and is expected to take 2 nights to complete, between 8pm and 6am each night. While the work is happening there will be stop/go traffic management in place and the on- and off- ramps will be closed. All vehicles will be detoured via Koura Drive, Onion Road, Arthur Porter Drive and the SH1C / Crawford Street roundabout.  

·       SH31 Puti Bluffs: Work to repair a slip on SH31 at Puti Bluffs near Kāwhia continues. Work is expected to finish in early October. Work will be taking place Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm each day, however this is dependent on tidal conditions. 

·       SH21 Tamahere Interchange: Starting overnight on Tuesday 1 October and taking 3 nights to complete, road resurfacing is taking place on the left lane on SH1 Waikato Expressway, Cambridge section, Tamahere and on the southbound onramp and SH21, Tauwhare Road roundabout. While this work is taking place SH1 Waikato Expressway will be reduced to 1 lane from the SH21 Tamahere interchange for 1.5km. All vehicles will be detoured via SH1B Victoria Road interchange or SH26 Hillcrest roundabout. 

·       SH26 Morrinsville Road: 2 weeks of enabling works start Monday 16 September between Platt Road and Tauwhare Road near Eureka from 9am to 5pm. There will be stop/go traffic management in place. Once the enabling works are finished the road rebuilding will begin, this is expected to take 8 weeks to complete. There will be a 1-way westbound detour in place 24/7 via Tauwhare Road and Platt Road while the rebuilds take place.  

·       SH1 Cambridge Road to Hautapu: On Saturday 21 September weather permitting (with Sunday 22 September as a reserve day) between 12pm and 4pm, SH1 will be closed between the northern interchange (Cambridge Road) and SH1B interchange (Hautapu). This closure is to allow Northpower to use helicopters to pull transmission wires across SH1 as part of work on the National Grid. Detours will be in place. More information. 

·        SH1/SH29 Piarere intersection: On Tuesday 24 September we’re opening 2 temporary approaches to the roundabout, while work continues on the third (Tīrau) approach. To enable the traffic switch, a SH1 southbound lane closure is required so a temporary tie-in to the intersection can be constructed. The 1-day SH1 southbound closure will take place from 6am (subject to weather), impacting Hamilton to Tīrau traffic. Motorists will be required to detour via SH29, SH27, to SH1 adding around 12 minutes to journey times. Northbound traffic will not be impacted, and access will remain for residents, school buses and emergency services. Once the temporary tie-in is completed, the SH1 southbound lane is expected to re-open early Tuesday evening, with the SH1 (Cambridge) and SH29 roundabout approaches in action. Night works will also be carried out on Monday 23 September with stop/go in place from 6pm until 7am to undertake line marking ahead of the closure. There will also be a short period where traffic will be stopped to enable the switch, between 4am and 5am on Tuesday 24 September. A temporary speed limit of 60km/h remains in place around the project site to protect road workers and ensure the safety of everyone travelling. More information 

North Waikato 

·       SH1 Island Block Road to Mercer interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Wednesday 25 September between 10pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. Stop/go traffic management will also be in place at Mercer interchange.  

·       SH2 Irish Road to Mangatawhiri Road: Stop/go will be in place on Tuesday 24 September between 9pm and 5am to carry out multiple maintenance activities such as line marking, vegetation control and resurfacing. Mangatawhiri eastbound off-ramp will be closed as part of this closure. Continue on SH2 and detour via Rawiri Road. 

·       SH2 Mangatawhiri Road to Rawiri Road/Golf Course Road: There will be a full closure in both directions on Wednesday 25 September between 9pm and 5am to carry out multiple maintenance activities such as line marking, vegetation control and resurfacing. Koheroa Road eastbound off-ramp and Golf Course Road eastbound off-ramp will be closed. A detour will be available via Mangatawhiri Road and Rawiri Road. Stop/go traffic management will be in place. 

·       SH2 Maxwell Road to Kopuku Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Monday 23 September between 9pm and 5am to carry out multiple maintenance activities such as line marking, vegetation control and resurfacing.    

·       SH2 Wyatt Road to Coalfields Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Thursday 26 September between 9pm and 5am to carry out multiple maintenance activities such as line marking, vegetation control and resurfacing.  

·       SH2 Steen Road to Okaeria Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Monday 23 and Thursday 26 September between 9pm and 5am to carry out multiple maintenance activities such as line marking, vegetation control and resurfacing.  

Taranaki

·       SH3 Waitara Road, Bell Block: A small section of Waitara Road will be closed from Sunday 15 September until late November to progress safety improvement work on SH3 in Taranaki, this work includes stormwater improvements, the relocation of underground services, and pavement works. During the closure a detour will be in place along Richmond Road, the detour will add an extra 5 minutes to journeys. SH3 through the intersection will remain open to traffic with a 50km/h temporary speed limit in place. More information 
The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz). 
 
NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient. 

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey.

Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nztawbop
• X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/nztawbop
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)