With warmer weather on the way, road users will notice more construction crews hard at work across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions as the 2025/2026 construction season starts.

From rebuilding sections of state highway to laying fresh asphalt and carrying out regular programme of summer maintenance, the focus this summer is on keeping roads safe, efficient and reliable, said NZTA Waka Kotahi. 

NZTA Waikato System Manager Andy Oakley said spring is the ideal time to get this work underway. 

“This season’s programme is about more than just repairs. It’s about strengthening the network, so it remains safe, reliable and ready to meet the needs of all road users.” 

“The key corridors that we’ll be targeting in the Bay of Plenty this season are State Highway 29 from Tauriko to the Kaimai Summit, SH2 between Bethlehem and Bayfair and extending eastwards to Ōtamarākau, as well as SH5, SH30, SH30A and SH33 in the Rotorua area.

“This season, our Maintenance and Operations team is gearing up for a mammoth task of completing 17 rebuilds and 20 resurfacing sites across state highways in the Bay of Plenty, and that’s excluding the chipseal sites.”

Oakley said in the Waikato region, they’ll be focusing on maintenance programmes including the Tīrau to Waiouru project which has recently restarted.  

“Last year, we rebuilt around 49km of SH1 between Tīrau and Waiouru and by the end of the project in 2026, we’ll have rebuilt 66km of SH1 in total,” Oakley said.

“This work is lifting the road to a much higher standard, meaning less disruptions and less maintenance needed in the future.

“We’re also tackling the Coromandel Peninsula, including the Coromandel Recovery Programme and repairs to the SH25 Boundary Creek Bridge. Given the upcoming peak summer season, we’re taking a careful and considered approach to this programme to minimise disruption.” 

The first site to keep an eye out for is State Highway 2 at Ōtamarākau, due to kick off Monday September 22. This is the start of a steady programme of work for this stretch, through to late February 2026. 

On top of this work, crews are renewing roads across both regions through the State Highway Pothole Prevention Fund.

“This funding has been set aside specifically for resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance works, helping us to tackle the issues that keep roads from being in good condition for the long term within 24 hours,” Oakley said.

“The goal for this fund is simple: get our state highways and local roads up to the safe and reliable standard that Kiwis expect so road users can spend less time worrying about potholes and more time enjoying the ride. 

“In the BoP we’ve repaired 1246 potholes since the 24-hour requirement began, and more than 98% of these were fixed within a day.

“In the Waikato, we’ve repaired 9312 potholes and more than 97% of these were fixed within 24 hours. That’s a great result.” 

To find out more about the upcoming maintenance season, sign up to receive the regional newsletter here. 

With all this mahi comes traffic management. Motorists are advised if hitting the road, to make sure to check the NZTA Journey Planner before leaving, to see where the maintenance crews are working and what to expect. 

“If you do get caught in a queue, remember our road crews are just doing their job. A little patience and kindness go a long way.”

Bay of Plenty   

Tauranga   

• SH2/Fifteenth Ave: Major works building the connection from SH2/Fifteenth Ave to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road continue as part of the Takitimu North Link project. Works include building a 120m long retaining wall and a 127m long single lane bridge. Piling is underway with 6 of the 9 piles already completed. Piling will take approximately 3 months, and construction of the bridge will take approximately 12 months to complete. One lane at SH2/Fifteenth Ave near Edgecumbe Road is closed while this work takes place, this is likely to remain in place until mid-2026. More information.   

• Tauriko Enabling Works: As part of ongoing construction in the area there are multiple active work sites, temporary traffic management including shoulder closures, lane shifts, mobile operations, and reduced speed limits in effect. Active sites and potentially disruptive works include: 
• SH29/Redwood Lane: As part of ongoing construction in the area, temporary traffic management including shoulder closures, lane deviations, mobile operations, and reduced speed limits are currently in effect. Night works continue from Sunday 7 September (7pm - 5am, Sunday to Thursday nights) to remove temporary safety barriers adjacent to the southbound lane of SH29 and for surfacing works on SH29 between Gargan Road and south of Belk Road and Redwood Lane. These night works are expected to take a further 2 weeks (weather dependent) and include temporary traffic management with a 4-way stop/go operation and a 30km/h speed limit through site. The lane deviation on SH29 for watermain works will be shifted slightly west as the works progress southbound along SH29, from Gargan Road towards Redwood Lane, with a (24/7) lane shift and a 50km/h speed limit in place on SH29. People are encouraged to be patient and drive carefully through the site. More information 
• SH29/Tauriko Village: As part of ongoing construction, there are multiple active work sites along the northern side of SH29 in Tauriko Village and on Cambridge Road, with temporary traffic management including reduced speed limits, mobile operations, shoulder closures, and lane shifts in place as required. Night works are planned for Monday 8 September (7pm to 6am) to complete a concrete pour on Cambridge Road. Traffic management will be in place on Cambridge Road and SH29 including a 30km/h speed limit and stop/go operations. These dates are weather dependent, and if delayed by weather will be carried out on the next suitable shift.  On Monday 22 September, 9am to 4pm work to liven underground power cables will be carried out on Cambridge Road. Temporary traffic management will include stop/go and a 30km/h speed limit on Cambridge Road, with the right-turn bay from Cambridge Road to SH29 closed. Hamilton-bound traffic must turn left onto SH29, then use the SH29/SH36 roundabout to change direction. There will also be a lane deviation and shoulder closure on SH29 (westbound towards Hamilton) and a 60km/h speed limit on all approaches to the work site. All eastbound traffic (towards Tauranga/Bethlehem via Cambridge Road) will be maintained. On Sunday 28 September, 9am to 4pm work to remove redundant power poles will be underway on Cambridge Road. To safely remove the poles, the northbound lane (heading to Bethlehem) on Cambridge Road will be closed (detours in place). Traffic management will also include shoulder closures and mobile operations on SH29, with SH29 traffic being maintained in both directions. Bethlehem-bound vehicles from SH29 must use the SH29 Takitimu Drive toll road (tolls apply) or SH29A Cameron Road (free route). The southbound lane on Cambridge Road will remain open. People are encouraged to be patient and drive carefully through the site while works are underway. More information.    
• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: Ongoing works in this area for the Takitimu North Link project include the construction of a flyover bridge and southbound slip lane. A reduced speed limit of 70km/h remains in place while crews are working behind the barriers. Traffic is anticipated to be diverted onto the flyover bridge and southbound slip lane in the next year while works continue. More information.  
• SH29A Maungatapu Bridge: Bridge maintenance continues underneath the structure with no disruption to traffic, but workers will be visible between 7.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday. The work is expected to be completed late September.  
• SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge: Tree felling works, between Tauriko and the power station at Ruahihi, will be taking place Wednesday 10 September, between 10am and 2pm. Expect delays. 
• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road: Night works and a full closure both Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 September, between 8pm and 5am, for works on the Pāpāmoa East Interchange . A detour will be in place. This work is weather dependent 

Western Bay of Plenty   

• SH2 Katikati: North of Katikati tree felling works will be taking place Sunday 7 September, between 7am and 6pm. There will be stop/go and at times stop/stop in place. Delays can be expected of up to 10 minutes throughout the day. 
• SH2 Pongakawa: Overnight bridge rail repairs on the Kaikokopu Stream Bridge will be taking place, Sunday 7 and Monday 8 September, between 8pm and 5am. There will be stop/go in place. 
• SH2 Apata Station Road: The intersection is currently operating as a roundabout with temporary speed limits in place until final surfacing works are completed in spring. Please follow the temporary signs. 
• SH2 Esdaile Road/Pahoia Road intersection: Road widening works are underway at this intersection. There will be speed restrictions and intermittent stop/go traffic management. Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. Expect delays. 
• SH2 Pahoia Road to Plummers Point Road: While services are being installed, lane shifts will be in place along with speed restrictions. Intermittent stop/go traffic management may cause longer delays. Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. 
• SH2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade: Road construction and service relocation works are underway in preparation for the new roundabout. A temporary single-lane roundabout is operational at this intersection. Please be aware that speed restrictions and intermittent stop/go traffic management are in place. Delays are expected, particularly during peak times. More information    
• SH2 Youngson Road closure: The SH2 northbound lane (traffic travelling towards Katikati) has shifted to the centre of the road to create space on the left for road widening for the SH2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade. While this configuration is in place Youngson Road intersection is now closed with no entry/exit to SH2. A detour is in place via Barrett Road and the Old Highway Road. Work is expected to take up to 6 weeks. More information here. 

Rotorua 

• SH30 Te Ngae Road-Wharenui Road:  A 40km/h speed limit is in place on SH30 Te Ngae Road approaching the Wharenui Road intersection and will remain in place until October when skid resistant surfacing is laid. The new signals and road layout are in place and Wharenui Road is open to vehicles. More information.  

Eastern Bay of Plenty   

• SH2 Pekatahi Bridge: Essential bridge maintenance is scheduled to take place in the last week of September and early October, during the school holidays. In preparation, a bridge inspection and closure are planned for Monday 15 September. SH2 will be closed between 10.30am and 2pm. During the closure people will be detoured via Whakatāne. Detour map. 
• SH2 Waimana Gorge: In July, an underslip developed southeast of Tāneatua on SH2. The road is under 24-hour traffic management with traffic lights operating to allow traffic to pass along the single lane. A repair solution has been confirmed, potential future road closures may be needed to complete repairs due to how narrow the site is. Contract documents are being drafted to appoint the Contractor. More information.  
• SH2/Wainui Road, Matekerepu, near Ōpōtiki: Roundabout construction continues and a lane shift is in place for people traveling on Wainui Road towards Ōpōtiki, expected to be in place until later this year. All other road users should expect traffic management such as shoulder closures, speed restrictions and, at times, stop/go while work is taking place. The roundabout is expected to be completed by April 2026. 
• SH35 Tōrere: Slip repairs are underway near Te Kura O Tōrere east of Ōpōtiki. Stop/go traffic management is in place. These works are expected to be completed in September, weather permitting.  More information.  
• SH2 Waioweka Gorge: A shoulder closure remains in place in the Waioweka Gorge near Ōpōnae The design is now confirmed and work is expected to take approximately 4 months to complete. Contract documents are currently being drafted to appoint the Contractor. 

Waikato  

East Waikato  

• SH25 Kūaotunu: Underslip repairs are underway and the state highway on Kūaotunu Hill is reduced to a single lane. While work is underway the road is expected to remain open with lane shifts, however some short-term closures may be needed.  Traffic management and speed restrictions will be in place and people are asked to watch out for directions from the traffic management team.   
• SH25 Manaia Hill: Underslip repairs are underway until late October. The road is reduced to a single lane with stop/go and temporary speed restrictions in place. 

Central Waikato   

• SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Road Maintenance Project: The SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Road Maintenance Project is back for season 2, completing the final surface on 5 sections of SH1 where the project worked last season, plus doing road rebuilding and maintenance between Taupō and Tūrangi, the northern and southern ends of Tokoroa township and the southern end of Tīrau township. 
• Taupō to Tūrangi: Work continues at Waitahanui where we are widening the road to create 2 right turn bays. Enabling works are complete at Waitahanui and there are now lane switches and temporary speed limits in place. Work is expected to start at the Hatepe passing lanes mid-September, using nighttime stop/go. Work will be 5 nights a week between the hours of 7pm and 6am. There is no planned daytime stop/go for Hatepe at this point. The work is planned from Sunday to Thursday nights, finishing Friday at 6am. 
• Tīrau: Work will be starting Sunday 14 September with a nighttime only road closure south of the State Highway 1 and Rose Street/Hillcrest Street intersection. Work will be between the hours of 7pm and 6am Sunday to Thursday. Traffic will be detoured via State Highway 27 (SH27), Patetere Street, Okoroire Road, Heatherington Road and back to State Highway 1 (SH1). This adds approx. 6 mins and 10km to your journey.  Sign-up to the newsletter. 
• SH1/SH5 Taupō: A Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre is under construction at the SH1/SH5 roundabout. The prefabricated office has arrived on site and installation of the fences, gates and landscaping is underway. When the weather is warmer the final asphalt sealing work will be done. The in-road weigh-in-motion scales on the 5 roads heading towards the safety centre have been installed. Work on the camera technology and electronic sign boards is progressing.  Work in the lanes has largely finished, apart from an occasional lane closure for a day, but continues on the road shoulders. The site will be fully operational in April 2026. More information. 
• SH5/SH28 Harwoods Road: Construction of a roundabout at this intersection east of Tīrau is underway. Traffic is being managed through the site with speed restrictions. More information 

West Waikato   

• SH1/SH29 Piarere intersection: The bulk of the work on the new SH1/29 roundabout in Piarere is now complete and the finishing touches are being applied, including landscaping, which will see intermittent shoulder closures and reduced speed limits during off peak hours (9am to 3pm), as required. The project is on track to be completed this month. More information.  

North Waikato   

• Springhill Road to Dragway Road: There will be a full southbound closure on Sunday 7 and Monday 8 September between 9pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes. Please slow down and follow traffic management instructions.     
• SH1 Bombay: Southbound off-ramp will be closed Thursday 11 September for kerbs to be concreted.  Temporary barriers are required to be moved to complete the work.  
• SH2: Stop/go traffic management will be in place for the following closures. Please follow traffic management directions and stop when asked 
• Between Steen Road and SH25 roundabout on Sunday 7 September between 9pm and 5am.    
• Between McPherson Road and Dobson Road on Sunday 7 September between 9pm and 5am.   

Manawatū -Whanganui    

• SH4 Ōtoko: Work is underway to repair an underslip on SH4, near Ōtoko, where the road has been down to one lane. The road closure that was in place has now lifted and stop/go temporary traffic management is in place on weekdays 6am-6pm until 10 October 2025 while crews work to reinstate the northbound lane. Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected.  

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay   

• SH5 Napier to Taupō: Recovery alliance Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) continues to progress safety improvements, as well as repair, recovery and maintenance activities at multiple sites on SH5 between Eskdale and Waipunga. More information.  

Taranaki 

• SH3 Mt Messenger:  Repairs to the underslip at SH3 Mt Messenger began early August, with the aim of reinstating the road to 2 lanes. The work is expected to take approximately 6 weeks to complete, weather permitting. If conditions are unsuitable, work will be postponed to the next suitable day. Crews will be on site from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Stop/go traffic management will be in place with delays of around 20 minutes expected. 

• SH3 Tongapōrutu: SH3 at Tongapōrutu remains under a 70km/h temporary speed limit due to an underslip damaging the northbound lane. We are working to determine a long-term repair for the area pending further geotechnical assessment, details to come once confirmed.   

• SH3 Mangaotaki: SH3 at Mangaotaki, south of Piopio, remains under stop/go traffic controls after a rockslide and an underslip damaged the road after heavy rainfall. Crews are maintaining the site until a long-term repair can be undertaken, pending further geotechnical assessment. More details will be shared with stakeholders once confirmed.   
• SH4 Mapara North: Drainage improvements started mid-August taking 5 weeks to complete, weather permitting. Crews will be onsite between 6am and 6pm Monday to Saturday each week. Traffic management will be in place with a combination of lane switches and stop/go between Mapara North and Kopaki Road, with delays of approximately 10-15minutes. 

The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz).   

NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.   

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