Progress clearing roads and an all-clear to return home for residents at risk from landslides will come as a relief for many near the top of the East Coast.
The first escorted convoys of vehicles moved along State Highway 35 from Tikitiki up to Te Araroa on Monday as road crews advanced to clear the devastation left behind by the weather.
An NZ Transport Agency spokesman said there had been “strong progress” on State Highway 35 over the past few days, where communities had been split into several isolated pockets after severe weather last week.
“Crews have re-established the washed-out section of Taurangakoau Bridge over the Mangaowira Stream, south of Te Araroa,” the spokesman said.
The stretch between Tikitiki and Taurangakoau Bridge was open to public traffic for three intervals: 8am to 8.30am, 12pm to 12.30pm and 4pm to 4.30pm.
NZTA indicated this would continue.
That section of the highway reopened to emergency services and for essential supplies between Tikitiki and Te Araroa on Sunday afternoon.
“We expect to run the same scheduled openings daily throughout the week, but please be aware access may be stopped at short notice if there are further slips or any safety concerns,” the spokesman said.
“There is still slip movement in the area.
“The road will be closed overnight, as it remains too unsafe to drive at night.”
Road crews continue to assess a major slip on SH35 above Te Araroa Holiday Park south of Hicks Bay.
“Crews are also working from the Pōtaka end, clearing a one-lane track toward Hicks Bay.
“We expect to confirm early this week when public access will be available from that end.”
SH35 remains open between Gisborne and Tikitiki, with four to five stop/go sites plus existing worksites.
“Please follow traffic management instructions, slow down and take extra care.”
Residents at about 30 threatened properties evacuated in and near Te Araroa on Saturday were allowed to go home on Sunday.
“Te Araroa residents who were evacuated Saturday night were able to safely return home after geotechnical assessments found no signs of immediate risk to life from landslides above them,” Tairāwhiti Civil Defence reported.
“Two assessors inspected the southern half of Pohutu St (from just north of the fire station) and determined there was no evidence of instability or material coming down the hill, nor silt,” Civil Defence said in a social media statement.
“The proviso for people returning home is that they self-evacuate should there be heavy weather forecast.
“One property has been yellow-stickered as a precaution, however it is elevated and protective measures can be put in place to manage future risk.”
The sports field and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were also inspected and found safe.
The council’s principal scientist, Dr Murry Cave, was one of the assessors and said the community appreciated seeing the team there.
“They seem pretty happy that while we had been uncertain about the risk, we had done a decent geotechnical assessment and they felt reassured it was okay to move back,” he said.
The assessment team began inspections at Onepoto on Monday.
Several relief donation appeals have opened to support the communities impacted.
Te Araroa-based hauora Māori service Manaaki Matakāoa, which encompasses Kopuaponamu, Awatere, Te Araroa, Horoea, Punaruku, Wharekahika, Onepoto, Matakāoa Point, Waikura and Potaka, said 100% of donated funds for its appeal would go to flood relief.
That included essential supplies, fuel, clearing debris, repairs and helicopter transport for goods and stranded people.
Donations can be made at https://www.manaakimatakaoa.com/donate or via bank transfer to Manaaki Matakāoa at 38-9024-0343519-00, reference “flood”.
Hicks Bay-based charitable trust Te Aroha Kanarahi Trust said in a statement on social media that it was working with Wharekahika Maori Committee and Te Whanau a Tapaeururangi to provide relief to affected whānau.
“Any koha for Wharekahika/Potaka/Waikura communities can be sent directly to Te Aroha Kanarahi Trust 03-0303-0109564-00,” the statement said.
“We are so grateful and appreciative of all the support that is being offered from everyone. Together we can get through this. Mauri tu, mauri ora.”
Ngāti Porou opened a weather event donation fund, administered by Toitu Ngāti Porou Charitable Trust. The account name is Toitu Ngati Porou. The account number is 06-0637-0248564-00
A Givealittle fundraiser for the whānau from Punaruku who were stranded on their roof overnight Wednesday and Thursday morning had raised more than $40,000 on Monday.