For Coromandel residents, businesses and visitors a functional state highway network in and around the district is vital for daily life. That’s why it’s important we prioritise the work to ensure a resilient network that continues to provide those all important connections.
The endless coastline and bush clad interior that define the Coromandel district and drive its economy also have a significant impact on its highway network.
State Highways 25 and 25A are vulnerable to the unstable natural environment, and exposed coastal areas. There are few routes across the peninsula, most of which are narrow and winding - and affected by slips, while coastal areas are prone to flooding and inundation.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) works to maintain and upgrade the highway to make it safer and more resilient. There is also an active highway bridge maintenance, strengthening and replacement programme.
There is a busy season of road maintenance on Coromandel’s state highways this summer.
We use summer to resurface and rebuild roads as the weather is warm and dry, which helps ensure quality outcomes and longer-lasting roads.
Drier summer weather is also needed for the bridge work being done this summer.
Summer construction map [PDF, 1.8 MB]
We understand these works are disruptive for road users and take care planning our activities, minimising impacts as much as possible and avoiding the peak summer holiday rush.
We do not close roads lightly but need to in some cases because of the intensity and pace of work, or if there is no room for vehicles to travel through the site without compromising safety.
We do our best to stick to planned dates for state highway maintenance work, but weather, unforeseen circumstances, or other factors may cause changes.
Our regular maintenance emails will tell you what’s happening in the week ahead across Waikato state highways and how this work may impact your journeys:
Boundary Creek Bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25) between Tapu and Waikawau Bay has been replaced with a stronger, safer bridge, making this scenic stretch of highway safer and more resilient.
The bridge, built in 1963, was in a very deteriorated state because it is so close to the sea and exposed to the elements.
Since 2023 speed and weight restrictions had been in place and it had been reduced to a single lane with a neighbouring passing bay closed.
This section of highway is wedged between the sea and cliffs, and with few safe places to pass those restrictions have meant the bridge had become a pinch-point on the highway.
Work began in mid-October 2025. The bridge supports were repaired and strengthened, and a new bridge deck installed.
By mid-November there was 2-way traffic on the bridge and the neighbouring passing bay was back in use, making the journey along this section of road smoother for everyone.
Boundary Creek Bridge
The replacement of Pepe Stream Bridge is a priority for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The Pepe Stream Bridge business case to explore replacement options has been completed and approved. We are now in the next phase of project development, which is called 'pre-implementation' and includes detailed design, consenting and property investigation.
NZTA will continue to keep the community informed as we work through this process. You can find the latest information on the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement project page.
Pepe Stream bridge replacement project
CloseIn recent years, and with increasing frequency, extreme weather events have impacted access to and around the Coromandel Peninsula. During the summer of 2023 the network was battered by cyclones Gabrielle and Hale causing widespread and severe damage across the highway network
The most significant was a slip on SH25A which saw the highway closed for almost a year. However there were also more than 50 other major slips sites. With damage from surface flooding, there was more than 100 sites to be repaired across the peninsula.
While SH25A was closed, SH25 was the detour route so work was carefully managed and prioritised to minimise further disruption to peoples’ journeys around the peninsula.
During 2023 we completed work at 32 sites along SH25/SH2. We also prioritised work on SH25A while it was closed clearing slips, replacing 23 culverts, fixed 5 major slips and undertaking crucial road maintenance along the rest of SH25A to ensure the entire corridor is safe and more resilient.
Since February 2024 teams have repaired multiple locations on SH25, and on highways leading to the district.
By March 2025 damage at all but a handful of sites had been repaired.
Between August and December 2025 our teams will be working on SH25 at Kūaotunu and Manaia to repair underslips and to replace a culvert on SH25A.
It is expected that all recovery works will be completed by the end of 2025.
Work to stabilise the large slip above SH25 at Ruamahunga
Our contractors worked in a cage suspended by a crane to stabilise an underslip near Wharekaho, pictured in January, and work neared completion in late March
SH26 Onetai Stream Bridge replacement
SH25A Taparahi rebuild
Hikuai River Bridge
Waiwawa River Bridge
Waiomu Stream Bridge
Maukoro Bridge
Kereta Hill retaining wall
Ohinemuri River (Mataura) Bridge
Cloudburst Culvert
Grahams Stream Footbridge
Grahams Stream Footbridge
