State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge closed again until later today

State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge is closed again as dirt and debris continues to slip from the hillside.

Earlier this morning, the gorge was closed after a slip had been detected from overnight.

The road was then briefly reopened after contractors had cleared debris.

In an updated statement, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the decision to close the highway again comes due to the amount of material that has now come down and will need to be removed.

The gorge is expected o be closed until later today.

“People are urged to delay travel where possible or allow at least three hours of extra time for a long detour either via State Highway 35 or State Highway 5,” NZTA said.

“NZTA crews will continue monitoring and maintaining the detour route to ensure it remains safe and accessible.”

Road users should take extra care in the region due to surface flooding in other areas around Rotorua and Eastern Bay of Plenty.

While SH35 is currently open, more wet weather means there is a chance that sections can close at short notice. People are urged to keep an eye on the NZTA Journey

The gorge road has been affected by closures several times since January due to unstable slip conditions.

In Rotorua, a person is in hospital after driving their car into a flooded chasm that opened up on Ngapouri Rd in Waiotapu, south of the city, just after 10pm, following a day of forecast downpours that triggered an orange rain warning.

It appeared floodwaters had washed out a section of the road and the person had then tried to drive through, Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern shift manager Colin Underdown said.