SH35 Punaruku slip: Highway between Hicks Bay and Te Araroa reopens

Punaruku slip site at SH35 as of April 13, 2026. Photo / NZTA

The Punaruku slip site on State Highway 35 is set to reopen at midday today following months-long closures.

The section of highway, blocked by a huge slip during a storm event in January, runs from Wharekahika/Hicks Bay to Te Araroa.

Although the road is deemed safe to reopen, the site is “fragile” and “under constant monitoring”, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said in a release.

“The stretch of SH35 between Te Araroa and Pōtaka is still unstable and the road may need to close at short notice if weather conditions change or if movement is detected.”

The section will remain single lane and roadworkers will be at the site to manage traffic flow.

The site would continue to be closely monitored and a safety plan was in place for future monitoring, NZTA said.

Further closures of the slip section of the highway are possible if the area is deemed unsafe again.

SH35 between Te Araroa and Pōtaka remains unstable, and future closures may be considered.