21/01/2026
Update: Thu 22 Jan 11pm
State highways:
CLOSED
• SH35 Tolaga Bay to Pōtaka – Severe Weather
• SH2 Matawai to Te Karaka – Flooding and Slips
OPEN
• SH35 Okitu to Tolaga Bay
• SH35 Pōtaka to Ōpōtiki
All other state highways in the Gisborne and Hawke's Bay regions remain open.
While SH35 has reopened to Tolaga Bay, there are still numerous slips and debris, as well as surface flooding around – please avoid any unnecessary travel. If you have to drive, please do so with extreme caution and be alert for hazards.
The road will remain closed from Tolaga Bay north to Pōtaka as crews continue to assess damage from slips, flooding and debris.
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🚧 SH35 CLOSING 9PM 🚧
SH35 will be closing at 9pm from Okitu through to Potaka, with the decision reviewed at 7am tomorrow. TEMO group controller Ben Green says the safety of the community is paramount, and keeping people off the roads in such dreadful weather is the best option. Emergency vehicles will still be able to get through should they need to.
State Highway info: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/gisborne
Local Road info: www.gdc.govt.nz/services/roads/road-information
Stay home! 🏡
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