Farmers called upon to ensure road safety to prevent stock incidents on SH35

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has  repeated its call to farmers along State Highway 35 to help avoid their stock, and people, becoming statistics.

Over last weekend, emergency services were called to SH35 near Te Araroa, to reports a cow had been hit by two vehicles travelling in opposite directions.

“We’ve had reports that, as a result of the collision, a number of people suffered minor injuries,” said  Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay Tairāwhiti systems manager Martin Colditz.

“Between the first call-out to wandering stock on the highway on January 8 this year and the beginning of August, there were 87 call-outs for wandering stock in Tairāwhiti, 82 of which were on State Highway 35.

“Every animal wandering on the side of any road poses a significant risk to the lives of road users who are passing.

“Hitting a cow can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, in addition to causing trauma and stress for those involved.”

Earlier this month Waka Kotahi issued a reminder following an increasing number of call-outs.

“Wandering stock on our highways presents a risk to life, so please report them as soon as you can, either by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS, or 111 where there is an immediate risk to safety,” Mr Colditz said.

“It’s really important land owners do what they can to ensure the safety of all road users, local communities and our roadworkers.”