Motu Road Slip
UPDATE: 16 September 2026
Ōpōtiki District Council is pleased to confirm that Motu Road is scheduled to reopen on Friday, 18 September at 12pm, subject to completion of the remaining safety works
Council acknowledges that the closure of Motu Road has been in place for some time and we are pushing progress as quickly and safely as we can to ensure local residents, regular road users, and the cycling groups who rely on the Motu Road experience are reconnected.
Geotechnical specialists completed their final inspections in late August and have since confirmed, through stability modelling and assessment, that the road is suitable for reopening, subject to ongoing monitoring, maintenance and the completion of recommended delineation work and safety signage.
Residual instability remains possible, particularly following rainfall, groundwater seepage and ongoing weathering. Council has appropriate monitoring, response procedures and traffic management controls in place, and will undertake further geotechnical review if significant new instability is identified.
The geotechnical assessments also identified that additional edge delineation improvements and safety signage should be completed prior to re-opening and these have now been actioned.
During this closure period, Council also progressed the Papamoa crossing improvements which were approved as part of council’s 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan. This work is also now complete.
On opening, safety signs will be in place around the installed edge delineation advising motor vehicle users (in particular) to not stop and park along the edge to inspect the land changes around the slip site.
We ask that all users please adhere to this requirement for their safety and the safety of others.
Council would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the residents, landowners, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders who have been directly impacted by the closure. We recognise the challenges and disruption this event has caused and greatly appreciate the patience, understanding and support shown throughout the recovery process.
We would also like to thank all our contractors for their immense effort in getting the road re-opened. Their expertise and dedication have provided Council with the confidence to reopen the road with appropriate controls and ongoing monitoring in place.
The Motu Road is recognised as an important part of our local transport network, providing a critical connection for residents, businesses, emergency services, and visitors to one of our most remote areas and neighbouring district.
Council will continue to take a risk-based approach to managing the site following reopening, including ongoing inspections and increased monitoring during periods of heavy rainfall. Should conditions change, appropriate traffic management measures will be implemented, and residents, stakeholders and the community will be kept informed.
Please note: the after images below do not include the road delineation and safety signs
In mid-November 2025, a large slip occurred on Motu Road near the Ōpōtiki district boundary between Papamoa Hill and Whitikau Rd (around the 35km mark). The road has been closed in both directions since then.
This is a significant slip, stretching around 100m from head to toe with channels through the road bench.
In the early stages, the site was too unstable for any clearing works - the road bench appeared to be gone and any repairs were likely to be large-scale and require careful planning before works could begin.
During this period council continued to monitor the slip’s movement and the road has remained closed while ongoing investigation works were carried out.
Motu Road usually carries around 35 vehicles a day and is an important alternative route, providing resilience access between the Ōpōtiki and Gisborne districts.
It is also a favourite among cyclists who use this route as its own ride or to access the upper part of the Pakihi track.
The Pakihi is still open and cyclists can get to the start of the trail from SH2 via the Matawai and Motu Village and shuttles are available.
Funding, work method and start date confirmed
In May 2026 funding support from NZTA had been secured and confirmed; enabling repair work to the major slip to progress.
Since then Council staff and geotechnical specialists have reviewed the results from drilling at the main slip site and are working to finalise a safe method for removing the slip debris.
- Subject to weather, the aim is to have machines on the ground by 20 July 2026.
Once works begin, the site will be an active construction area remain fully closed to the public at all times, including outside working hours. This is due to the safety risks associated with earthworks and ground stability.
Our message is to not enter the site under any circumstances during this time.
We recognise this route is a key lifeline connection to Gisborne and our remote rural communities, and we know how challenging this closure has been. We are working to progress the repairs as safely and quickly as possible and will continue to keep the community updated here on our website and other channels like Facebook and Antenno as works get underway.
