ROADING UPDATE – ŌTOROHANGA DISTRICT

Ōtorohanga District Council and our contractors including Inframax Construction Ltd are continuing to work together to repair roads damaged in the February severe weather event. We appreciate your patience. Some roads are still open one-way while we continue repair work. Some repairs will take longer where damage is more significant, as we want to ensure lasting solutions.

Updated 20 March

LATEST UPDATES

** NEWS FLASH ** NZTA STATE HIGHWAY 39 – TEMPORARY MANGATI BRIDGE NOW OPEN! Awesome news – NZTA on 20 March 2026 opened their temporary bridge on State Highway 39. This bridge reconnects the community south of Pirongia. It's a single lane bridge operated by traffic lights and has a 50 tonne weight limit. The original bridge was destroyed in the February floods.

• For inquiries about this bridge, you can email NZTA: [email protected]. 
• For the latest information on state highways, please check the NZTA Waka Kotahi online journey planner.

Mangati Road Bridge – Ōtorohanga District Council and contractors installed a permanent bridge on 17 March to replace the one washed out in the February floods. It opened on 19 March 2026.

Pirongia West Road – Now open for light vehicles (utes and cars only). There are sections that are not suitable for heavy vehicles including trucks, as it’s too narrow and the bends are too sharp. Ōtorohanga District Council is continuing work with the aim of fully reopening this road in due course.

Lurman Road (Maihiihi) – Now open. Please drive with caution.

Otewa Road – Now open with one lane. Please drive with caution through the marked lane. Do not stop or walk under the slip. Drivers of large vehicles are advised to take particular care and make their own judgment about whether to proceed.

ROADS OPEN WITH ONE LANE ONLY

The following roads are open but have sections reduced to one lane due to slips or dropouts (where land underneath the road has fallen away).

Contractors are working on these roads and delays may occur. Thank you for your patience.

• Aotearoa Road

• Bayley Road

• Hikurangi Road

• Kio Kio Station Road

• Kiwi Road

• Maihiihi Road

• Ngaroma Road

• Otewa Road (drivers of large vehicles should make their own judgment whether to proceed)

• Lurman Road

• Otoru Road

• Paewhenua Road

• Pirongia West Road (open except at Pekanui Road end)

• SH31 (between SH39 and Ngutunui Road)

• Tauraroa Valley Road

• Taupaki Road

• Te Kawa Road

• Wairehi Road