Crews continue to make steady progress at the Goldsmith slip site on State Highway 2 through the Waioeka Gorge.
The slip was the first from the Ōpōtiki side and potentially largest - about 110m high and up to 60m wide.
NZ Transport Agency said an additional 40‑tonne digger would bebrought in to boost clearing efforts.
Contractors have managed to get over the slip by digger and were now in a position to obtain on‑the‑ground information about conditions ahead of the main blockage, the roading agency said in a statement.
Rob Service, NZTA SH2 Waioeka Gorge Response and Recovery controller, said the scale and complexity of the slips in the gorge mean progress won’t be instant, but teams were working every hour they safely could to push through.
“Getting an additional digger on site is a big step in helping us tackle the major blockages.
“Conditions on the ground are changing day by day, especially after last night’s weather. Safety has to come first, which is why our teams are assessing the Gorge carefully before pushing ahead from the Gisborne side.”
A second container, which was in position from previous maintenance works before the weather event hit, was equipped with Starlink and cameras.
This would ensure contractors have reliable communications as they move deeper into the gorge.
A slip is blocking SH2 through the Waioweka Gorge. Photo / NZTA
NZTA said clearance work would continue in a “leap‑frog” style - crews rapidly clearing smaller slips while the larger digger tackles the major blockages.
Wednesday night’s heavy rain caused flooding at the Gisborne entrance to the gorge, preventing crews from accessing the site.
NZTA said the water has now receded, and teams were assessing conditions to confirm whether it’s safe to proceed.
The landscape has changed significantly since Wednesday’s storm, and a fresh geotechnical assessment may be required before work can resume.
Current expectations were that clearing efforts from the Gisborne side will restart early on Friday, pending safety clearance.
“We know how important this connection is for people and freight. Our crews are committed to restoring access as quickly as possible, and we’ll keep everyone updated as we make progress,” Service said.
SH2 south of Gisborne was the only open route, however, long detours are required.
There’s a significant increase in traffic on SH2 south of Gisborne, with high volumes of vehicles continuing through to Bayview.
