Tairāwhiti district's pothole-ridden roads costing motorists

Pot holes in Gisborne. Picture by Paul Rickard

Damage claims for six-month period over three times more than the previous three years put together

Gisborne’s rain-damaged and pothole-pitted state highways are causing hundreds of dollars in damages to vehicles with damage claims for these higher than at any time over the past four years.

Figures provided by Waka Kotahi show in the first six months of this year (to June 30)it received 67 claims for damages to vehicles caused by potholes on the state highways here.

That was over three times more than the previous three full years combined — 2020,2021 and 2022 — when just 19 claims were made.

The claims resulted in Waka Kotahi paying out $9,103 in damages.

Responding to The Gisborne Herald, a Waka Kotahi spokesman said Cyclone Gabrielle and other subsequent rain events were the main cause of the potholes.

“Since the cyclone, significant and sustained periods of heavy rainfall have also impacted the network. Water is the main contributing factor creating potholes. It also cut short the scheduled summer maintenance season earlier this year, resulting in fewer sections of the state highway being resealed.

“While the weather has kept maintenance crews busy dealing with surface flooding, slips, fallen trees, debris and road closures, repairing potholes has continued to be a priority.

“In the past few months, we were able to secure additional resources from outside the region, to focus on pothole repairs, ahead of the spring/summer maintenance programme.

“While our road crews are out daily working to fill these holes, we’re also encouraging road users to report the damage they see – call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS to report issues.

“It is absolutely essential potholes are repaired and filled as quickly as possible, for the safety of all road users. We will keep our pothole crews out over the coming weeks, specifically focused on repairing those holes during winter, until longer-term remedial work begins again soon - in the warmer months.

“Crews are currently carrying out pre-seal repairs across the network, before the summer maintenance programme kicks off. Pre-seal repairs include ensuring existing potholes are filled before resealing of state highways begin. Resealing sections of our network is the best way we can prevent cracks and subsequently potholes forming.

“There are 15 sites in total across State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki and SH35 that contractors will be specifically focused on during this works season. Resurfacing of SH2 between Matawai and the Waioeka Gorge continues with an estimated 80,000 square metres of asphalt to be laid by the end of the programme.”

For the period between August 2020 and August 2023 Waka Kotahi paid claimants a total of $46,282.12 nationwide, as compensation for vehicle damage.