March 28, 2023
Whenua Māori used for Tolaga-Tokomaru link
A bypass through private land has restored access for Tokomaru Bay residents to Uawa-Tolaga and on to Gisborne.
Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri says it has been a massive effort by Kuru Contracting and Pourau Incorporation as well as the Potae whanau who made their whenua available after state highway 35 was cut off during Cyclone Gabrielle.
She says project manager Ma Parata and his crew got the road open in record time.
“They’re all locals and they know the significance of this bypass to enable our Tokomaru whanau to come south into Gisborne so it was great to be part of that opening and celebration with both the communities of UAWA-Tolaga coming together with our community from Tokomaru,” Ms Whaitiri says.
More work is needed north of Tokomaru to open up access south for Ruatoria, Te Araroa and Tikitiki.