Motorist stops in time to capture massive slip as it closes State Highway 2 in the Bay of Plenty

A major landslide has closed a main highway in the Bay of Plenty.

State Highway 2 at Waioeka Gorge is closed until further notice due to a significant slip located between Oponae and Wairata.

The slip was recorded on Sunday afternoon by passing motorist Michael Tabudravu.

Tabudravu caught a video of the mass of dirt and rock falling from the above cliff and crashing onto the road below.

SH2 Waioeka Gorge will remain closed until further notice due to a significant slip located between Oponae (Waiata Rd) and Wairata (Wairata Rd). Use SH5 or SH35 as an alt route. Be aware these alternative routes will add significant time to your trip. ^MF https://t.co/v5MmwoQyNY

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) June 25, 2018

He told Stuff that he was driving from Gisborne to Rotorua at 3pm when he came around a bend and saw the slip across the road.

He, and about three other cars, stopped to see what was going on when the cliff face let go.

"I could see it started cracking underneath - this big crack," he told Stuff.

"Then the whole thing just came down. It's not something you see everyday. It was a bit of an adrenalin rush to be honest."

Contractors are on site clearing the slip, and geotechnical engineers are currently assessing the stability of the cliff face.

Motorists are advised to use State Highway 35 as an alternative route.

The NZ Transport Agency said these alternative routes will add significant time to the journey.