The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance is working to upgrade part of State Highway 2 (SH2) at Te Karaka. It is a major project that will reduce flood risk by raising a section of the highway by 3 metres and upgrading drainage and culverts (large pipes).
Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. Water breached the stopbanks of the Waipaoa River in multiple places and residents faced severe flooding and forced evacuations. SH2 at Nesbitt’s Dip (see location map) was closed and covered in silt and debris, cutting off access to and from Gisborne.
To reduce flood risks and keep the road open in severe weather an 850-metre section of State Highway 2 will be raised by approximately 3 metres.
The Hakanui Stream culvert will also be replaced with a larger and wider pipe to handle higher water volumes. And a new fish passage will be included to protect local aquatic life while improving drainage.
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The TREC project name is ‘Hakanui Straight' (formerly known as Nesbitt’s Dip). This was a change requested by hapū and Iwi representatives and the name reflects its cultural and historical significance. The Hakanui Stream was important for local food gathering, mahinga kai, and as a travel route for waka.
With the road being elevated to ensure safer and quicker evacuations during floods, ‘Straight’ (rather than ‘Dip’), embodies strength, directness, and a clear path forward.
We provide project updates in our fortnightly newsletter, you can read them here:
Design, consent and landowner agreements are completed. Construction will begin in July 2025.
CloseEarly works started in July 2025; stock and construction fencing are being installed to keep workers, road users and livestock safe.
ClosePlanned for winter 2025, silt fences and stormwater drainage channels will be installed.
CloseOnce environmental controls are in place an access way and working platform for heavy machinery will be created. Fibre cables and power poles will be moved.
CloseWork on the installation of 2 new culverts and major earthworks is planned to start in Spring 2025. Work will start on the south side of the road.
CloseIn Spring 2025, work on the main culvert upgrade will begin, traffic will shift lanes, expect delays.
CloseWork will be underway in the stream (over pumping) with fish exclusion screens to construct the new main culvert inlet.
ClosePermanent road surface work will start in Summer 2025/6.
CloseOnce the road surface works are completed, we’ll install new road safety barriers.
CloseWhen work on embankments in 2026 is completed, the traffic will shift back onto newly sealed lanes.
CloseLandscaping will start in autumn 2026 once construction is nearing completion.
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![View larger image [JPG, 131 KB]](/assets/projects/hakanui-straight-flood-resilience/sh2-hakanui-straight.jpg){kind=link}