Work to clear debris in the Waioeka Gorge slip is underway, with the NZ Transport Agency expecting the Gorge to be closed for a month or possibly longer.

Around 100,000 cubic metres of rock and debris came down on SH2 on March 3 and more loose material has since been dislodged with the help of a helicopter and a monsoon bucket.

Image of the Waioeka Gorge slip. Photo: NZTA.

Construction workers have begun to clear the trees from the edges of the slip.

 The NZTA says geologists are monitoring cracks along the west side of the slip face to determine whether they were widening, which would show if another slip is likely to occur. They have also found cracks at the top of the slip face. 

As work continues to remove the debris, motorists are being encouraged to use State Highway 35 around the East Cape or State Highway 5 through Taupo while the Gorge remains closed.

The agency has an annotated diagram to help explain the activities are being undertaken at the site.

The Waioeka Gorge slip. Photo: NZTA.

A diagram explaining activities being undertaken at the site.