High-risk trees removed during road closure

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

More than 100 hazardous trees alongside State Highway 2 north of Te Karaka were removed during four days of closures over the past two weeks.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said the trees had become a hazard to road users, following heavy and persistent rainfall earlier in the month, as the ground around them became unstable.

A section of SH2 between Whatatutu Road and Makaretu Road was closed between 8.30am and 4.30pm ­last Monday and Tuesday and again this Tuesday and Wednesday to accommodate the safe removal of the trees.

Four arborists were on site and filled 10 six-wheeler trucks with the removed trees.

“Some of the trees were mulched on site, while others were taken away to be mulched elsewhere,” said Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay Tairāwhiti system manager Martin Colditz.

“This is a crucial stretch of road for communities and for the freight industry and contractors worked to minimise disruption as much as possible.”

The road remained open outside the hours of 8.30am to 4.30pm and a one-hour convoy was in place between midday and 1pm during the closures.

“Making sure this road remains safe is a top priority and getting rid of these high-risk trees was an important part of that — so thank you to everyone who has supported this work through the closure.”