The times are the same for tomorrow.
“The convoys were to be guided by a Downer Group vehicle in the front and the back of the convoy,” an NZTA spokesman said.
“Motorists are asked to adhere to the designated times. Public outside of these hours will not be able to return in either direction.
“The road conditions remain a concern and motorists will be asked to drive in the middle of the road, maintain a safe following distance and adhere to a 30kmh speed limit.”
Waka Kotahi national journey manager Helen Harris said while people living around the East Cape were extremely resilient, the impact of ex-tropical Cyclone Hale had been testing everyone.
“Our contractors are working extremely hard to clear remaining slips and reopen vital lifelines to communities in Tairāwhiti.
“The welfare of people living near State Highway 35, in particular, is our key concern. We understand how critical this highway is for getting food and supplies to whānau and towns.”
Waka Kotahi continues to work with emergency services, Gisborne District Council, Eastland Network and Civil Defence to coordinate movement for emergency and service vehicles across the region.
The New Zealand Army has two Unimog trucks delivering supplies to cut-off areas.
Food, petrol and gas bottles are being flown up the Coast by helicopter to residents on Tauwharepare Road who have been cut off since Tuesday,” Gisborne District Council said in a statement this morning.
Air Ruatoria is flying up the Coast with eftpos and Starlink technology to reconnect them.
Welfare parcels are being distributed by community links in Ruatoria.
Chorus teams have been flown in to find and fix the broken fibre cable so communication can be restored.
East Coast MP and Justice Minister Kiri Allan has visited Civil Defence over the response with other Ministers expected to arrive today.
Minister Meka Whaitiri arrived this morning and was briefed by Civil Defence before flying over the worst-hit areas to see the damage first-hand.
State Highway 2 opened at 5pm last night between Tangoio and Tūtira.
As of this morning more than 40 rural roads remained closed and many others were open only to four-wheel drive vehicles.
Close to 30 roadwork crews were battling away on the region's roading network.
“Expect some roads around Tauwhareparae to remain closed for some time,” Civil Defence said. “Keep checking our website before you travel.”
Civil Defence is also assessing a large landslide dam in the Waiorongomai tributary of the Tapuaeroa River west of Ruatoria.
“This landslide appears to be of a similar scale to the landslide dam that occurred at Mangapoike in 2017.”
Staff are carrying out an urgent assessment as a breach of the dam could send a large volume of water downstream towards a road bridge.
“Our principal scientist Murry Cave is flying over the landslide dam today to undertake an urgent assessment with GNS.”
■ TOLAGA Bay Wharf is closed for safety inspections after huge waves crashed over the decking. Fencing around the area with the missing pile will be re-erected.
■ Queens Drive on Titirangi/Kaiti Hill was closed this morning as crews cleared slips on the hill.
■ WASTEWATER levels in the city's sewer network continue to drop. The council hoped to be able to close the overflow valves this morning.
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