One of Tauranga's main arterial routes will be closed this week as work begins to reduce the risk of slips in the area.
A section of State Highway 36 at Mangowera Gorge, between Tauranga and Rotorua, will be closed from 9am until 4pm on Wednesday to allow contractors to use the helicopter to flush out soft soil and vegetation above a section of the road.
A helicopter carrying a monsoon bucket will drop upwards of 5000 litres of water on to the highway as part of the works, pending weather conditions.
The closure time has been chosen to allow commuter traffic travelling between Rotorua and Tauranga to pass through during peak hours.
The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists wishing to travel during the closure to use SH2/SH33 via Te Puke.