Hawke’s Bay potholes surge after heavy rain but roads ‘stood up well’

Potholes on State Highway 50, near Bridge Pā from 2024. Photo / Paul Taylor

Although Hawke’s Bay managed to miss the brunt of last week’s deadly wet weather, the region’s roads took a heavy hit leading to a spread of dreaded potholes.

But a local infrastructure manager said thanks to her company’s ongoing maintenance of the roads, Hawke’s Bay’s roading network is in a good condition.

Regional manager East Coast at Fulton Hogan New Zealand, Courtney Pratt, said last week’s rain put real pressure on the transport network, as well as the rural roads they maintain for Hastings District Council.

But Pratt said the roads stood up well considering the amount of rainfall, although there was an increase in potholes and surface defects reported afterwards.

However, she said that is typical following sustained wet weather.

“Water can get into small cracks in the road surface, which weakens the layers underneath and traffic can turn those weaknesses into potholes quickly.

“Our crews prepare in advance of a weather event and monitor road conditions closely so they can respond quickly as issues are identified by the team or reported.

“Being well‑prepared, with the right people and materials ready to go, is what enables us to act fast.”

Pratt said there are crews on standby during and after major weather events to respond quickly to issues.

When a pothole is reported, Pratt said teams assess the situation and choose the safest, most effective repair based on its size, location and traffic conditions.

But in most cases, a temporary fix will be made “to make the road safe”.

“Once the area has dried, our crews can return to complete a permanent repair or plan larger resurfacing works with council,” Pratt said.

“If people see a pothole or any road damage, reporting it to council early makes a big difference and helps us get repairs underway faster.”

Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany, and New Zealand.