Road freight association Transporting New Zealand says that the closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge will result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper-North Island.

NZTA have advised that State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge will likely remain closed for several weeks, following extensive damage from severe rainfall and multiple large slips.

NZTA advised today (21 January 2026) that work on SH2 has been paused due to heavy rain. With weather set to worsen over the day, crews will take a pause, rest, and allow the weather to pass before reassessing the site and resuming clearing work once safe to do so.

Transporting New Zealand Membership Manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman says that the closure will add 211 kilometres and nearly three hours to a truck journey between Gisborne and Tauranga detouring on State Highway 5.

"Road freight companies are incurring significantly higher operating costs through additional wages and diesel. These pressures will flow through to freight customers, and ultimately consumers."

"On average about 1200 vehicles were using the route each day, including around 250 heavy vehicles." 

"Conservatively, we estimate that will increase the cost of freight into and out of the region by well over half a million dollars each week."

Transporting New Zealand is warning freight customers not to pressure transport companies and truck drivers to deliver in unrealistic timeframes, given the unavoidable trip delays.

"Freight customers and freight forwarders should be aware of their legal responsibility not to pressure drivers to breach speed limits or work time rules, under the Chain of Responsibility provisions in the Land Transport Act," says Calvi-Freeman.

"If your conduct contributes to truck drivers exceeding speed limits, breaching work time rules, or operating over-weight vehicles, you can be liable for a fine of up to $25,000 under the Land Transport Act."