The local state of emergency has been lifted for parts of the Bay of Plenty, and Ōpōtiki district has shifted from an emergency response phase into a recovery stage.

State Highway 2 through Waioeka Gorge remains closed as far as Matawai after rain two weeks ago, and SH35 is closed between Potaka, Hicks Bay and beyond since last week.

Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore said the council and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi were doing everything they could to get the roads open.

“Getting access for people trapped in the Waioeka Gorge is a priority,” he said.

“They can’t get in and out. They are getting supplies dropped to them.

“We’ve also been assisting with people who are trapped here and can’t get back to Tairāwhiti.”

He said a Government announcement of funding support for storm-hit regions was good news but he had yet to see any detail on it.

There were roads the council had not yet been able to reach to assess damage.

Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore said storm-hit regions will need all the central government help they can get to restore roads and support residents cut off by landslides. Photo / LDR

“We are going to need all the help we can get to fix some of our roads and get ongoing support to those who are trapped.

“We’re desperately trying to get in to see roads so we can see what needs fixing.”

His thoughts also went out to the families of those who were lost in the Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa landslides and everyone working on the recovery, he said.

“There’s absolute devastation around Tairāwhiti and tragedy in Mount Maunganui.”

A local state of emergency was declared for the entire Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti regions on January 21 because of the red heavy rain warning.

This has been extended for another seven days in Tairāwhiti, Western Bay and Tauranga City and lifted entirely for Whakatāne, Kawerau and Rotorua Lakes districts.

The transition to a response stage for Ōpōtiki will allow Civil Defence recovery managers access to extra powers, such as closing roads and public places, working to stabilise land and property, removing or securing dangerous structures and enter properties to rescue people or save lives.

The response stage will be in place for 28 days and can be extended if necessary.

A Civil Defence spokesperson said it had been a tough and devastating week for many.

“We would like to acknowledge the resilience that the Bay of Plenty community has shown despite the challenging circumstances.

“We will continue our work and collaborate with other agencies and communities to ensure those who are still dealing with the aftermath of the severe weather get the support they need.”

Multiple slips along State Highway 2 through Waioweka Gorge. Photo / NZTA

An Ōpōtiki District Council spokesperson said staff had been helping clear roads where possible.

There had been flooding and road closures on and around Whangaparaoa (Cape Runaway) last week.

Crews had worked to clear State Highway 35 and made it as far as Potaka by late last week. They were continuing eastwards towards the isolated communities around Hicks Bay.

“The boundary between councils doesn’t matter much in a practical sense so it isn’t like the crews stop at Potikirua Point and go home,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re in touch from our side with Tairawhiti Civil Defence and Gisborne District Council Emergency Operations Centre.”

NZTA said it would have a clearer timeframe for when it could at least one lane of access on State Highway 2 between Ōpōtiki and Matawai this week.

Crews were working to clear 13 overslips, four underslips where the road had partially crumbled away, and 20 areas where mud, trees and other debris were strewn across the road.

Seven additional sites had been identified as blocking both lanes.

SH2 Waioeka Gorge response and recovery controller Rob Service said on Tuesday that the road and the land around it were still saturated with water.

“There’s a big job ahead still – although crews are making excellent progress on both sides.

“We know how critical this road is for freight and for travel through to Tairāwhiti and we’re working as quickly as we can to restore that access, but it must be done safely.”

NZTA crews were also working to clear multiple slips on SH35 east of Potaka.

In the biggest slip, about 200,000 cubic metres of land slid onto and over the road.

A spokesperson said that was equivalent of around 6500 HPMV (High productivity motor vehicle) truck movements of soil.

“We know these closures are disruptive and crews are working as hard as they can to restore access and we’re really grateful for everyone’s support,” the spokesperson said.

“Public support makes our job that much easier. Especially when it comes to adhering to traffic management and taking it easy on the roads that are open.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.