Tiniroto Road at the Hangaroa Bluffs suffered significant damage during Cyclone Gabrielle - 1400m of road was undermined with river protection works destroyed. The 2-lane road was scoured away to less than one lane in parts. It required repairs to the retaining wall structures and rock protection works. Following emergency works the road reopened to single lane.
After heavy rain in June 2023 a geotechnical report identified imminent and extreme risk to road users. The section of road was closed again in August 2023 and reopened 10 months later in June 2024.
Location of the Hangaroa Bluffs on Tiniroto Road
A long-term resilient solution
Tiniroto Road is considered an alternative route to State Highway 2 and a resilient roading solution is needed.
We have $45m in funding to assess a long-term resilient solution for Tiniroto Road, as part of the $204m government cyclone support package.
Options being investigated include rebuilding the existing route or a new bypass of Bluffs 1 and 2 that cross the Hangaroa River. Detailed assessments of these options will inform the decision.
Geotechnical testing, rainfall catchment analyses and hydrological testing is underway for the 2 options.
Once technical feasibility investigations are completed, partner and community engagement will be sought prior to recommending the proposed solution to funders. The overall aim is to find the best outcome for the community and wider region.
This is a major project expected to be completed within a 3 - 5 year period.
Latest progress August 2024
- Bluff 3 - early works package design investigation programmed; procurement plan underway.
- Principal’s requirements preparation underway with geotechnical, catchment, hydrological, cost, and procurement considered.
The interim solution
Given the length of time needed to both investigate and complete works, we commissioned a further report to understand what was required to safely open the bluffs as a temporary measure to ease the community impact of the road closure. This report identified a feasible option to safely open Tiniroto Road.
Work to re-open Tiniroto Road at the Hangaroa Bluffs was carried out over 5 weeks and included rock scaling at bluff 3 to remove overhanging and loose rocks, to reduce the risk of rockfall, as well as installing concrete blocks, earth bunding and catch drains along bluffs 1 and 2 to protect road users from low-volume rockfall. The road reopened 17 June 2024.
Be aware in heavy rain
Tiniroto Road at the bluffs is under watch, especially during heavy rain events. High rainfall which could trigger a road closure at short notice until the road is assessed for safety. If this happens, the community will need to use the alternative detours during a closure.