SH1 at Pukenui could reopen tomorrow after washout

Workers were yesterday putting in culverts ahead of the road being remade, with SH1 at Pukenui possibly reopening tomorrow.

The northernmost communities of the Far North could be reconnected to the rest of New Zealand tomorrow as work continues to repair a massive breach in State Highway 1.

A deluge on Friday afternoon coupled with a suspected blocked culvert triggered a flash flood which swept away a 20m-long, 5m-deep chunk of highway and isolated the region north of the great divide. The washout was about 50km north of Kaitaia and just south of Pukenui, the main township on the Aupouri Peninsula.

With the only alternative routes along 90 Mile Beach and a forestry track turned into a quagmire, supplies couldn't reach settlements such as Pukenui or Te Kao. Tourists visiting Cape Reinga were left stranded.

One kidney patient was transported via the beach to Kaitaia Hospital where she underwent dialysis yesterday. A health board spokeswoman said all patients had an emergency plan which was activated in such situations.

About 7.30am yesterday police escorted a convoy of 22 southbound vehicles on the 40-minute muddy route through the forest, while three vehicles left the other side at 8.15am.

Another convoy was due to be escorted each way in the afternoon and again this morning. NZ Transport Agency Northland manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult said the convoy was for essential travel only. Police would assess vehicles and drivers for suitability.

"If you don't have to travel, please delay your journey until the state highway is open," she said.

Houhora Four Square owner Peter Morrison said the lack of communications in the first 24 hours after the washout — all telephone services were down — had initially made it difficult but since then things had gone relatively smoothly for the store.

"We're doing okay. We had a bit of help from Far North roading and Civil Defence to get supplies through on a daily basis so we could ensure people had the essentials. We're hoping they will have the road ready to go before the delivery trucks are due early on Wednesday," Mr Morrison said.

Alan Culley, from the Wagener Holiday Camp on the southern side of the washout, said it was a shame the slip had turned away tourists, but still many were arriving not knowing the full extent of the situation.

Mr Culley said visitors were turning up at the holiday park not realising they would not be able to travel up to Cape Reinga. Kaitaia College contacted families telling them there will be no buses operating north of Whalers Rd until the highway reopens.

Early yesterday 50 crates of bread and milk were manhandled across the gap between two trucks on the south side and store owners waiting on the north side.

Ms Hori-Hoult said a crew had inspected the culvert an hour before the washout. There was no sign of a blockage or any issues at that time, she said. The cause was being investigated.

Health provider Whakawhiti Ora Pai, which has clinics at Pukenui, Te Kao and Te Hapua, Health provider Whakawhiti Ora Pai, which has clinics at Pukenui, Te Kao and Te Hapua, has four staff on the other side of the washout.

Manager Errol Murray said he still had enough staff left to keep services running but if the road wasn't open by this morning he would go through on the convoy and pick up their
Ahipara-based GP, who was needed for today's clinics. The rescue helicopter could be called on for any medical emergencies, he said.

The Pukenui Rural Fire Party is also affected because about half its volunteers can't get to the fire station if there's a callout.