More than 40 people have been evacuated after flooding and slips shut State Highway 2 between Matawai and Ōpōtiki yesterday.
Police were alerted to the first slip about 9am on Friday, following heavy rain in the area.
Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney says by midnight helicopters had brought out everyone stuck between the slips. Another eight people in two private addresses will be evacuated by helicopter this morning.
“It’s been a significant effort to reach so many people who were trapped, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of local helicopter pilots, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) staff, local and regional councils, and Police Search and Rescue staff.
“It’s been a long operation, but we’re just thankful that everyone is safe – everyone we know about has been accounted for.”
Inspector Cooney says helicopters took the evacuated motorists to a local campsite, where an NZDF NH90 helicopter ferried them to evacuation centres at Matawai and Ōpōtiki.
“The recovery of the vehicles will take some time given the significant damage and number of slips through the gorge, but the main thing is nobody was hurt.”
Motorists are advised to use NZTA’s Journey Planner tool to keep up to date with the latest highway conditions here.
Update at 4.32pm today – Senior Sergeant Bill Fisher
Police conducting a rescue operation of all those stranded in slip-struck Waioeka Gorge on State Highway 2 can confirm the people have been airlifted out of the gorge.
The rescue operation commenced last night, following Police being alerted to slips along the gorge road trapping people from travelling either way.
The rescued people were initially airlifted to a local campsite, then taken by a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter to evacuation centres in Matawai and Ōpōtiki.
Police thank the local helicopter pilots, New Zealand Defence Force staff, local and regional councils, and Police Search and Rescue staff for their hard work to ensure everyone in the area are safe and well.
Police continue to monitor the area and ask the public to contact 105 if they are aware of any travellers on State Highway 2 that haven’t checked in with you.
State Highway 2 from Matawai to Ōpōtiki will continue to stay shut as the road is assessed and slips cleared.
