A new section of Tiniroto Road is being constructed to bypass the Hangaroa bluffs, significantly improving safety and accessibility for all road users.
Project highlights
- 2kms of new road through farmland
- 2 new 3-span bridges - each with 2 central piers and abutments at each end
Project budget
- $45 million, funded through government support
Timeline
- Estimated start: December 2025
- Expect completion: Late 2027
The bypass will create a safer, more reliable route, reducing risk from unstable bluff areas and improving connectively for the region.
Watch the flyover video of the new bypass road
Cyclone damage and road closures at Hangaroa Bluffs
Cyclone Gabrielle left a lasting impact on Tiniroto Road at the Hangaroa Bluffs, wiping out 1.4km of roadway and reducing several sections to less than a single lane. The storm also destroyed river protection works, requiring urgent repairs to retaining wall structures and rock armouring.
Following emergency works, the road reopened to a single lane. However, after heavy rainfall in June 2023, a geotechnical report identified imminent and extreme risk to road users. As a result, the section was closed again in August 2023. After extensive stabilisation and safety works, the road reopened in June 2024, marking a 10-month closure.
Why a bypass is the best option for Tiniroto Road
The decision has been made - Tiniroto Road will bypass the Hangaroa Bluffs — one of our region’s most challenging and high-risk stretches. Following detailed investigations, 2 options were considered - reinforcing the existing road or constructing a bypass across the Hangaroa River, skirting 2 unstable bluff areas.
The bypass was confirmed as the best long-term solution, offering better safety, environmental protection and value for investment. Even with extensive protection works, the existing road would remain vulnerable to flooding and bluff instability. These measures risked disrupting the river’s flow and still posed ongoing safety concerns for road users.
The bypass will avoid these risks entirely, providing a more reliable connection that can better withstand future storms, earthquakes, and climate impacts. With $45 million in government funding, the project is now moving ahead - all steps shaped by input from landowners, iwi, and the community.
Interim reopening of bluffs in 2024
To ease the impact of the closure, a temporary solution was implemented in mid-2024. Works included rock scaling at bluff 3 to remove loose and overhanging rocks, concrete blocks barriers and catch drains to reduce rockfall risk. The road reopened to traffic on 17 June 2024, with ongoing monitoring during heavy rain events.
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