Taihape Road

Work to repair 11 major slips along Taihape Road, caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, commenced the week of 19 August 2024.This project, fully funded by Central Government, is being undertaken by TW Civil and Infrastructure Group and Toa Construction, and is part of a larger recovery effort addressing approximately 224 major slips across Hastings District. 

Construction on Taihape Road is expected to take up to 18 months, with most repairs occurring within the existing closed lanes, minimising additional delays for road users. Stop/go traffic management will be implemented. Updates on the project will be shared via this page, Kaweka Ward newsletters, and social media channels. The Council urges drivers to be patient and follow traffic controller directions as efforts continue to restore this vital connection.

In addition to these 11 major slips, there are also five bridges along Taihape Road still requiring significant repairs. These repairs are in addition to the four that were completed in the aftermath of the cyclone and will be managed under a different contract. Subject to funding, it is likely this bridge work, along with slip repairs on roads adjacent to Taihape Road will be undertaken during this same 18-month period. 

November 2024 update

TW Civils & Infrastructure (TWCI) is currently working on six sites along Taihape Road, involving 48 workers from TWCI and their sub-contractors TW Traffic Management, Toa, and Lattey Group (and their sub-contractor Tucks).

At five of the six sites, large excavations are underway at locations with limited driver visibility, as such these sites remain under a traffic light set-up when unattended.

TWCI expects to have three sites (1,6 and 10) completed and sealed before Christmas. Work at site 11 has just started, and the anchors are in place for piling to start on Monday (18 November). While it will not be finished then, site 11 will be open to two lanes for Christmas to help reduce delays over the holiday period.

The estimated completion date for the four walls for site 11 (including sealing and the installation of guardrails is the end of January - weather permitting).

Work has been paused at site 5, because of the discovery of the protected species Barking Gecko (Moko Kākāriki). Barking Gecko (Moko Kākāriki) are endemic to the lower North Island of New Zealand, and are categorised as ‘at risk’. Council and partners are working with DoC to ensure measures are taken to protect this threatened species, meaning work efforts are being focussed on the other sites to allow this to happen. You can learn more about the Barking Gecko (Moko Kākāriki) here, or click here to listen to their bark.

Security alert:
Please remain vigilant for suspicious activity. One of the sites was recently vandalised and items were stolen. Should you see any suspicious activity please report this to Police.

Traffic update:
To improve safety, additional temporary traffic controls of Stop/Go traffic management and speed humps have been implemented at the 40km marker to slow vehicles speeding through this area. Staff are also wearing bodycams as a precautionary measure. Your assistance is needed to ensure TWCI can complete this work as quickly and safely as possible.

Should you have any site-related questions or concerns, please contact the Project Manager Campbell Young at campbell.young@twci.co.nz or on 027 277 2509.

Thank you to all motorists for their patience and cooperation as we work toward completing these vital slip repairs.

Community newsletters

• Kaweka Ward Roading Recovery Update, 18 November 2024
• Kaweka Ward Roading Recovery Update, 22 October 2024
• Kaweka Ward Roading Recovery Update, 10 September 2024
• Roading Update,15 August 2024
• Kaweka Ward Roading Recovery Update (July 2024) Sent 5 August