Transport agency advises motorists ahead of long weekend

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

Motorists have been advised to “take it easy” on the highway south out of Tairāwhiti to Hawke’s Bay over this King’s Birthday weekend.

That’s the message from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

“State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier is now open 24/7 and this weekend is the first public holiday since the road was opened, following the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle,” said Hawke’s Bay Tairāwhiti NZTA journey manager Andre Taylor.

“We’re expecting there will be a lot of people wanting to travel between Wairoa and Napier and further afield,”

Mr Taylor points to the temporary speed restrictions and stop/go controls in a number of places.

“Please be aware of the conditions, take care, don’t rush and abide by the traffic controls in place.

“We suggest adding another 30 minutes to your usual journey time between Wairoa and Napier.

“Further north on SH2, foamed bitumen stablisation is under way between Gisborne and Matawai and road users should expect delays and lower speeds through that section of road,” he said.

“Elsewhere on the network, a number of sites on SH5 Napier to Taupō also remain under temporary traffic management — lower speeds and/or stop/go controls.

“It’s important we all enjoy a safe, relaxing King’s Birthday public holiday and a key part of that is keeping safe on the roads.”