January 22, 2026

Waioeka Gorge to Stay Closed for At Least a Month After Major Slips and Rescue Operation

Matthew Tukaki Posted On January 22, 2026

Matthew Tukaki Waioeka Gorge to Stay Closed for At Least a Month After Major Slips and Rescue Operation

State Highway 2 through Waioeka Gorge – the key link between the Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti / Gisborne regions – will remain closed for at least a month following a series of extensive slips caused by severe weather earlier this week.

The closure comes after more than double the usual January rainfall – about 322 millimetres in just 48 hours – turned gullies into waterfalls, overwhelmed drainage infrastructure, and triggered widespread debris flows across about 60 kilometres of the highway.

In one dramatic operation, over 40 motorists were airlifted to safety by helicopters after becoming trapped between slips on the gorge road, which lies between Ōpōtiki and Matawai. Emergency services, including police, NZ Defence Force crews, local pilots and search and rescue teams, worked through the night to evacuate people to evacuation centres in Ōpōtiki and Matawai – with no serious injuries reported.

Ōpōtiki District Council and Civil Defence personnel have been supporting residents in isolated parts of the gorge, working to ensure people have supplies and access while the route remains cut off.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says crews have already started clearing debris, moving dozens of truckloads of earth and fallen material from both ends of the gorge, but significant work remains before the highway can safely reopen. The road’s closure is expected to last at least a month, as engineers and contractors assess stability and clear slips.

Emergency services stress road users should continue to avoid Waioeka Gorge and seek alternative routes – such as State Highway 35 via the East Cape – until the situation stabilises and the highway is declared safe.

The gorge’s rugged terrain and geological makeup make it particularly vulnerable to slips during heavy rain, and experts have warned that continued wet conditions could lead to further instability.

For now, communities on both sides of the closure remain resilient, working with authorities to manage the ongoing impacts and support those affected.