One of the massive slips that closed SH1 over the Mangamukas for two years. The road will finally reopen on December 20.
The Far Far North is getting an early Christmas present with the long-awaited reopening of State Highway 1 over Mangamuka Gorge locked in for December 20.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said work at Mangamuka Gorge continued at pace, with most of the 35-plus slip sites repaired and having a reopening day fixed has been welcomed in the Far North.
The road has been closed twice in recent years. The 13km stretch of highway was wiped out by a series of 15 slips in a major storm in August 2022, just over a year after the highway reopened after a 12-month closure. Repair work had been under way for less than six months when a storm in April last year resulted in another 20 slips - some of them massive - that covered 1.3km and required repairs.
Then heavy rain on June 19 and 20 threatened to further delay the opening, with a massive slip falling down the hill. The two-year job to fully fix SH1 over the gorge has been so extensive and complex that an extra $60 million to finish it was allocated in May’s Budget. That takes the total cost to $160m.
Kaitāia Business Association (KBA) is calling on all businesses, organisations, and community groups in and around the town centre to grab a broom, a hose and a rubbish sack and help tidy up the town centre ready for the reopening of the Mangamuka Gorge, with the working bee taking place at the Kaitāia Town Square from 10am on November 15.
KBA chairman Josh Kirby said having the highway through the Mangamukas reopening date set was ‘’a great early Christmas present’' for the Far Far North.
Kirby said as well as the working bee effort, KBA ad NZTA, along with Northland Inc, were all working towards welcoming the rest of the world back to the area.
The closure has had a big impact on Far North businesses, and they would be delighted at the reopening, he said.
“It’s great news and the contractors up there have done an awesome job to get to this stage. So kudos to all the workers there as this is fantastic news for us.”
He said the opening was worth celebrating and and event of some sort would be held to coincide with the reopening.
“I know NZTA are working on something and Northland Inc is working on something to remind the rest of the world about all the great things to do up here that they’ve missed out on [while the gorge road has been closed].
“It’s important that there’s good messaging that we are open for business at that busy time of the year.”
Far North Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford said the reopening of Mangamuka Gorge before Christmas is a huge moment for the Far North.
“It’s not just about restoring a road but reconnecting our communities, making travel easier, and bringing whānau back together for the summer season,” Stratford said.
“To celebrate and prepare for the reopening, local groups, including the KBA, are organising a community clean up and beautification event. It’s all about getting the area looking its best for the holidays and welcoming visitors with pride.
“After a challenging two years of detours, it’s heartening to see the collective mahi coming together to make this happen. It’ll be a boost not just for locals but for everyone travelling through and visiting the Far North. Thanks again for helping us get the word out – it’ll be fantastic to see Mangamuka Gorge open and Te Hiku thriving again.”
News the Mangamuka Gorge will be open in time for Christmas is cause for celebration in Northland, Northland MP Grant McCallum said.
“After being closed for over two years, the new and improved SH1 stretch through the Mangamukas includes strengthened resilience to weather events, safer roads, and faster travel times. Northlanders depend on our connection to the rest of the country to keep our regional economy moving, whether for tourism or shipping out our products,’’McCallum said.
“Reopening in time for Christmas means Northland will be positioned to take advantage of the full potential for summer visitors to come to the North. I encourage all New Zealanders to come and see what Northland has to offer.
“Northlanders have been incredibly patient as work has progressed. I want to recognise them and the many workers who put in over 530,000 hours on site to get this essential project done.”
Over 80% of the daily workforce on the Mangamuka site during the enabling works phase were Far North residents. Many of them had deep connections to the land. This project benefited them economically, allowed them to take pride in reconnecting their communities and gave them valuable skills.
More than two years later, local workers still make up over 50% of the workforce, alongside additional expert services, and NZTA maintained its policy of training and using local workers where possible, NZTA said. This ongoing involvement underscores its commitment to the people of the Far North, ensuring the benefits of this project continue to be shared with the local community.
Repairs to all 20 of the minor slips are now complete, and nine of the 16 critical slip repairs have been completed, NZTA said. Multiple crews are working to complete the finishing works on the remaining seven critical slips, including finishing installing anchors, safety barriers, drainage systems, and rebuilding the road surface.