The nation's state highway bosses have had a first-hand look at Northland's storm-damaged roads during a 500km road trip.
New Zealand Transport Agency chief executive Geoff Dangerfield and Auckland/Northland director Ernst Zollner spent last Thursday with Northland MP Mike Sabin checking out damage as well as the "pinch points" where the region's state highways are regularly closed by floods and slips.
Just two days after their visit one of those pinch points - SH10 north of Kaeo - was again closed due to flooding.
"I've been working closely with Mr Zollner on a number of projects across the network such as the Matakohe bridges and we agreed it would be very helpful to spend a day touring around the region looking at the network. Following the damage caused by July's storm, Mr Dangerfield also offered to come north to accompany us and meet with the respective councils," Mr Sabin said.