Water laps over road at SH2 Karangahake Gorge

Floodwaters are rising in the Karangahake Gorge. Photo/Steve Grant, Tommy Kapai

Rising flood waters are beginning to lap over the road in the Karangahake Gorge.

A passing motorist said the river was higher than he had ever seen and that police were at the end of State Highway 2 ready to close the road to traffic.

A police media spokeswoman said a police unit is at the gorge directing traffic but she did not believe the road was closed at this stage.

A New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman said the highway would not be closing at this stage.

"There is surface flooding but contractors are on site and there will be restrictions in place (stop/go controls) to keep people safe."