Bay of Plenty, Coromandel weather: State Highway 29 over Kaimais reopens, SH30 at Manawahe closed

State Highway 30 at Rotoma has reopened to light vehicles this morning after a large slip.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said the road remained closed to heavy vehicles westbound between SH34 and Matahi Rd.

It was the second Bay of Plenty highway to close because of slips on Monday following heavy rain.

Stage Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range was closed in both directions for hours. It reopened with one lane in each direction about 5.40pm.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said the SH29 slip happened near Old Kaimai Rd.

Heavy equipment was sent to the site to start clearing the slip, a Waka Kotahi media statement said.

SH30 ROTOMA - ROAD OPEN - 6:20AM#SH30 has reopened this morning for LIGHT VEHICLES in both directions, but remains closed to westbound HEAVY VEHICLES between SH34 (Kawerau) and Matahi Rd (Lake Rotoma). More here: https://t.co/5XpvcGZTLz ^TP https://t.co/dvHSFbjsXo

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) May 29, 2023

Motorists were advised to detour via SH2 or to expect delays until the slip could be cleared.

Earlier, police said they were called to the large slip just after 12pm.

A motorist said there was “terrible gridlock traffic” on both sides of the slip.

Surface flooding also closed both lanes of SH29 at Te Poi.

Last night, the transport agency closed SH30 between Manawahe Rd and SH34 because of a slip.

It said it would be closed from 7pm until dawn, with a detour via SH33 and SH2.

A large slip on State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range. Photo / Supplied

An orange warning for heavy rain was in place for Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne until 9pm Monday with 70-90mm of rain expected.

The warning was also in place for areas east of Whakatāne until 3am on Tuesday.

A heavy rain watch was in place for Coromandel until 5pm while the strong wind watch had now been lifted.

Flooding was reported to emergency services on SH25 between Waihi and Whiritoa.

MetService says the front moving east from the Tasman Sea will probably affect the country until Tuesday.

“A low and associated fronts over the Tasman Sea are expected to move east to affect the country from tonight through to Tuesday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to many parts of New Zealand,” the forecaster said.