24 Jul 2012

Karangahake Gorge reopens

8:39 pm on 24 July 2012

The Karangahake Gorge on State Highway 2 between Waihi and Paeroa has reopened after being closed by a slip.

The Transport Agency says State Highway 25 between Thames and Coromandel Town has also reopened.

Another section of State Highway 2 between Coromandel Town and Whitianga, closed by a major slip west of Te Rerenga, is expected to open for temporary two lane access on Tuesday evening.

Motorists are being warned to take care as debris is still being cleared, with small slips at various locations sectioned off with road cones.

State Highway 29 on the lower Kaimais is also open.

And in Bay of Plenty, both lanes through the Athenree Gorge on State Highway Two are now open, as is another section of the highway at Apata, and State Highway 30 at Rotoma Hill.

Earlier pupils were sent home from a Gisborne school after downpours caused a flash flood.

Principal of Kaiti School Billie-Jean Potaka Ayton says after the rain hit just before midday on Tuesday, water entered a classroom and a toilet block.