Work has begun on a temporary bypass round a massive slip that has closed Northland's main transport artery but workers say it will be months before the road will be completely repaired.
The slip scoured out a chunk of State Highway 1 south of Kawakawa and forced the road closure on Saturday morning.
Traffic had been diverted through Ruapekapeka and Mangakahia Roads but the increased traffic volumes had caused the surface conditions to deteriorate.
Late yesterday officials had closed Mangakahia Rd to heavy traffic and were considering closing it completely.
The New Zealand Transport Agency said SH12 was the official detour route, but the highway had been reduced to a single lane at Kaihu where the road had also slipped away.