Wairoa road repairs get $17 million boost from Waka Kotahi

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

Efforts to reopen Wairoa’s cyclone-damaged roads have been given a $17 million funding boost from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

The funding will be tagged for initial response and costs to get roads open, drainage and alignment work, as well as safety work on bridges, ford crossing installations, demolitions and Bailey bridge hire and installation costs.

The funding is 100 percent Government-funded, with no impact on ratepayers, Wairoa District Council chief executive Kitea Tipuna said.

“It is reassuring to have this funding to enable immediate works to be carried out.

“We are mindful, however, there are still many areas of our district where access hasn’t been secured and we thank everyone for their patience.

“The damage Cyclone Gabrielle caused to our roading network is unprecedented.

This funding is just the beginning of what will be tens of millions of dollars to reconnect our district. Our roading team are doing everything they can to make progress as they work to restore connectivity.”