Podcasts about state highway 25a

An early Christmas present for the Coromandel Peninsula as the walking track to Hahei's Cathedral Cove reopens. It closed in Feburary last year because of damage caused in Cyclone Gabrielle. Thames-Coromandel Mayor Len Salt says combined with the reopening of State Highway 25A, the region is ready for a busy summer. He told Mike Hosking the next step will be repairing other tracks in the area. “Not just down to the Cove, but the other bays. We've got Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay which is still closed to access.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The early reopening of the cyclone-ravaged State Highway 25A on the Coromandel Peninsula increased GDP in the region by almost $86 million. That's according to a new report out by Infrastructure New Zealand, which argues planning and consenting attitudes have to change for wider economic gain. The report from the lobby group also recommends regional, or even a national, emergency panel be established to respond to other emergencies. Nick Leggett is chief executive of Infrastructure NZ, and he spoke to Corin Dann.

Fast tracking the opening of State Highway 25A proved to be a boost to the Coromandel's local economy. The road, which was closed due to storm damage last year, was opened three months early. It's said to have increased the region's GDP by 85-million dollars. Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett told Mike Hosking that there needs to be a lesson here for the Government. He says if we are going to get the value the Government needs, we need to do this more often.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Coromandel leader says the reopening of a major road in the district has made a huge difference for businesses, residents and visitors. State Highway 25A, a major thoroughfare over the peninsula, re-opened in late December after extreme weather damage caused an 11-month closure. Local businesses suffered, with losses of more than $90 million in trading. Cafe and bars are saying the trade has improved dramatically. Thames-Coromandel deputy mayor Terry Walker spoke to Corin Dann.

It's a Christmas miracle for Coromandel, with the new 124 metre Taparahi Bridge opening on State Highway 25A this morning. The Kopu-Hikuai section has been shut since January due to structural cracks in the road, which was eventually washed away by heavy rain. Initially slated to open next April, the reinstatement of the Highway will take hours off trips for those accessing the Peninsula. Tairua resident John Smith spent the last 7 months working security near the job site, and speaks to Jimmy Ellingham.

Questions to Ministers: DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement on the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora, "My dream is to devolve decision making and funding and give to mana motuhake, as close to the home and hapu as possible"; if so, what structure and funding models will he use to achieve it? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What does the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update say about the state of the New Zealand economy, and what steps is the Government taking to respond? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon JAMES SHAW to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by the principle in the Government's coalition agreements that "decisions will be based on data and evidence", including for economic and fiscal policy? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all of the fiscal and economic commitments made in the coalition agreements signed by National, New Zealand First, and ACT? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister of Health: What recent reports has he received on the performance of the health system? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister of Immigration: What is the Government doing to enable people living in New Zealand to bring family members here from Gaza? Hon SCOTT SIMPSON to the Minister of Transport: What reports has he seen on State Highway 25A in the Coromandel? Hon RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister for the Environment: Does she stand by her answer given to primary oral question No 11 yesterday; if so, which of the objectives of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 would she prioritise above the health and wellbeing of water bodies and freshwater ecosystems? JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Minister for Rural Communities: What recent reports has he seen regarding rural communities? RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Education: Has she seen any reports on student attendance? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Why did she decide to ignore advice by officials not to extend 90-day trials?

There's a party in Tairua today as the town celebrates the reopening of State Highway 25A - the key road connecting it to the rest of the country. State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai was closed after heavy rain and storms lashed the region in January - causing part of the road to be washed away into a gully. Waka Kotahi has constructed a new 124-metre viaduct bridge which spans the part of the road that was destroyed. It has been a tough year for Tairua residents - with people travelling two hours instead of half an hour to school in some instances - and visitor spending in the wider region has plummeted this year. Peter Hunt is co-chair of the Tairua Business Association and owns a furniture shop in the town.

The much anticipated re-opening of State Highway 25A has a date. The key Coromandel road's set to open in the early hours of Wednesday morning - a full three months ahead of time, and under budget. The peninsula road was cut in two by Cyclone Gabrielle earlier this year. Project Director Hugh Milliken says they're doing a blessing of the bridge early tomorrow morning. "We're doing some last tidy-ups at the moment of some things, just doing some painting of the inside of the bridge barriers. We're going to do that now while it's safe, rather than with traffic running through it and having to disrupt that, we're just getting it out of the way." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes that new research will help boost the Coromandel's tourism.  The region has now been scientifically proven to be good for the soul, with participants reporting significant improvements in wellbeing and happiness.  It's also welcoming news for the peninsula after bearing the brunt of extreme weather at the start of the year.  But Destination Hauraki Coromandel General Manager Hadley Dryden says it's still been business as usual for international visitors.  He says when State Highway 25A opens it's likely to get the boost from the domestic market heading to their favourite haunts.  That's due to open by December 20.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coromandel residents and holidaymakers are just weeks away from being able to cross the peninsula via the main road again. State Highway 25A was washed away in the summer storms, and a massive rebuild operation's been underway. The building of a bridge to span the huge abyss the washed out road left, has come in under budget and three months ahead of time. Crews have been working close to 24/7 to get the crucial connection rebuilt, with many having moved to the area to get the job done. Alison Craigie is an engineer for the builders of the SH25A bridge and is pretty excited about progress so far. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6341954048112

The Coromandel's getting an early Christmas, with State Highway 25A opening three months ahead of schedule. But holding back their cheers are some in Cathedral Cove, who will miss out on the usual summer trade. The Department of Conservation closed the walking track to Cathedral Cove after extreme weather in January and February, which caused up to 180 landslides and rock falls in the area. Reporter Louise Ternouth and Camera Operator Marika Khabazi have the story.

A couple of good news stories in the news cycle today - a rare and marvellous and wonderful thing!   In light of the traffic and roading conversation we were having yesterday, great news that State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai will reopen to traffic in time for Christmas, three months earlier than anticipated and under budget. I mean, it shocked me.   The decking is complete on the new 124 metre viaduct bridge, which spans the abyss that severed the highway in late January. So fantastic news there. Well done to all involved and it must be a huge relief for the people of Coromandel, knowing that you are going to have hopefully your Christmas visitors, your Christmas trade, which will make the difference I imagine for many between surviving and not surviving. So great news there.   Another good news story really and that is that 501 deportations from Australia to New Zealand have halved under a common-sense approach adopted by the Australian Government. That basically means that for those people who have lived most of their lives in Australia, who came as children, or who were born to New Zealand parents in Australia, if they have been ordinarily resident in Australia during and since their formative years, then considerable weight will be given to that fact. In the past, they didn't give a fat rat's bum. You know, if you had arrived in Australia as a child, as a baby, you had no connections back in New Zealand, you had done all of your living, all of your schooling in Australia, and then you offended, you were packed off back to New Zealand. Now under the common-sense approach, considerable weight must be given to where the offender spent their formative years, and that is a good thing. The current 12-month rate is the lowest since the policy came into force in 2015. Nearly half that of before the pandemic. The name 501, incidentally, in case you've ever asked on a Stuff trivia quiz, came about because of section 501 of Australia's Migration Act, under which a minister can cancel a visa or refuse one on character grounds if someone has an extensive criminal record or has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment or longer.   Now, countries are perfectly entitled to deport non-citizens that they see as undesirable. We do it ourselves. From 2013 to 2018, New Zealand deported more than 1000 people to Pacific nations. 400 of those were criminals. And that in turn, has led to major problems in those Pacific nations. Criminal deportees, as they are here, are a significant contributor to the growth of transnational crime in the region.   But to deport people who have lived much of their lives in Australia and with no personal connections or links in New Zealand, means that many of these people arrive in this country with little more than the clothes on their back and to all intents and purposes are abandoned. Gangs have picked up the slack here. There are reports of gang members waiting at airports and recruiting 501's as they walk off the plane. With nowhere to go, no one to help them. You can understand why taking up the gang's offer of hospitality might be an option.   There's no doubt that 501s have been a major headache for police. More than 2570 people were deported from Australia to New Zealand between 2015 and 2022, more than double the number expected when Australia began the policy in 2015. I think they upped the ante in Australia because it was very popular. It was seen as a gutsy, no nonsense move on the part of governments and was famously called ‘taking out the trash' when 501's were deported.   Almost half, 49%, of the 501's have reoffended since arriving in this country, with crimes ranging from very violent offences to drug and traffic violations. So good news that the number of people being deported has come down from 44 a month to 18. But that's still 18 people a month arriving who will need support and help to integrate into this society into this country. Surely the law-abiding community here can offer better support than the local gang chapter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's finished three months early and under budget. A huge sigh of relief for Coromandel residents and businesses with the announcement today that State Highway 25A will be open in time for Christmas. It means the two sides of the Coromandel Peninsula will be reconnected again. The highway has been closed since January after a massive slip, affecting families, businesses, schools and tourism to the region. Jo Wilton from Waka Kotahi speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6341025378112

The Thames-Coromandel mayor says the reopening of State Highway 25A before Christmas is a beacon of hope for many local businesses. The road, a key link to holiday homes in places like Whangamatā and Hahei, has been closed since January because of a massive slip. The Thames-Coromandel Mayor Len Salt puts the cost to local economy at $30 million. Salt spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Coromandel businesses are thrilled State Highway 25A is opening before Christmas. The vital link to the region has been closed by a massive slip since January and is re-opening well ahead of schedule in time for the holiday season. But some fear not enough visitors will return to save their businesses. Andrea Johnson owns a restaurant in Pauanui and saw her revenue halve since the highway closure. Carole Williams owns a motor lodge in Pauanui and used her savings to keep her lodge open, and says the loss of revenue has taken a toll on her mental health. Johnson and Williams spoke to Corin Dann.

The early reopening of State Highway 25A is being called a 'game-changer' for the Coromandel Peninsula economy.  The route between Kōpū and Hikuai was severed in Cyclone Gabrielle.  A new 124-metre bridge that now spans the resulting abyss will open by December 20, three months earlier than expected.  The tourism-reliant area suffered a severe economic downturn as a result of the extra effort required to get there.  Thames-Coromandel Mayor, Len Salt, told Mike Hosking that some of their hospitality operations have already booked out for this year's holiday period and are taking bookings for next year.  He said that the official date gives both businesses and visitors certainty.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coromandel's State Highway 25A's fix has come in ahead of time and under cost. The road between between Kōpū and Hikuai was cut in two by Cyclone Gabrielle in January, with numerous major slips blocking travel. It'll reopen by December 20, a full three months earlier than anticipated. Waka Kotahi's Jo Wilton says the team worked hard and planned ahead- but there were special circumstances behind this faster-than-expected repair. "Because it was emergency work, the consenting process is retrospective. As long as we built to the standard, we could do the consenting retrospectively. Plus, we didn't need to purchase any land." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's First Up pod - Suella Braverman has been sacked as the UK's Home Secretary; we ask Nicola Willis about the 'jagged edges' around tax putting a handbrake on a coalition deal; staff and students at a Wairoa school shave their heads in support of one of their own and it's not often a road is built ahead of schedule and under budget - First Up broke the news to Coromandel locals that State Highway 25A would open three months early AND in time for Christmas. First Up - Voice of the Nathan!

Coromandel businesses are popping the champagne in anticipation of State Highway 25A reopening three months earlier than planned.  The route between Kōpū and Hikuai —badly damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle— will be in business by December 20.  The tourism-reliant area suffered a severe economic downturn following the route's closure.  Mercury Bay Business Association Chair, Lynda Grant, told Kate Hawkesby that while there was a little bit of hope, nobody really thought it would reopen before Christmas.   She said that it's a win-win for everyone.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John talks to Kathryn about how Labour weekend has been positive for the region's business community as bach, holiday homeowners and visitors made the most of the break, however the major tourist attraction Cathedral Cove remains closed. He also has the latest on repairs to State Highway 25A, which is a crucial link and outlines what is happening with the sea wall at the northern end of Thames.

Thames - Coromandel is on the map but in the wrong way and the local mayor says it's putting much needed visitors off. Google's online map service is displaying out of date road closure information for the area, leading travellers to think the peninsula is closed for business following extreme weather events earlier in the year. Add to that ongoing repairs to the severely damaged State Highway 25A and the closure of the massively popular Cathedral cove walkway and its tough for businesses that struggled through covid too. The council's hit google up about the inaccuracies, but it's a slow road to get thing changed. Thames Coromandel Mayor Len Salt speaks to Lisa Owen [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338877455112

Progress is being made on a fix for the road between Kopu and Hikuai in the Coromandel. By March, it's hoped a steel bridge will span the 110-metre wide slip on State Highway 25A. For some on the eastern side of the hill, it couldn't come soon enough. Reporter Tom Taylor and cameraman Nick Monro have more.

Tonight on The Huddle, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and Ben Thomas from Ben Thomas PR joined in on a discussion about the following issue of the day- and more! Waka Kotahi are determined to reconnect Coromandel Peninsula's State Highway 25A by March next year. Up to 100 workers will work extended hours, seven days a week on a new bridge. Is it worth Waka Kotahi pulling out all the stops to finish the roads?  The Government will give tertiary providers a cash injection of $128 million over two years to prop up the struggling sector. How can we boost student numbers before more funding is needed? Was it wise or short-sighted for Ben O'Keeffe to post all the social media hate he was getting? Does it send the wrong message about responding to negative messages? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waka Kotahi's pulling out all the stops to reconnect Coromandel Peninsula's State Highway 25A by March next year. Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the region, and wiped out parts of the highway between Kopu and Hikuai. Now up to 100 workers will work extended hours, seven days a week on a new bridge. But Waka Kotahi's Jo Wilton says they can't account for all factors. "We don't have a crystal ball, so we've worked everything out that we can get it done by March. But should we have another pandemic, or an earthquake, that will impact our progress." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister has promised the new link to the Coromandel Peninsula will be put in place fast. But for some residents and businesses, "early next year" is still a long way away. State Highway 25A was washed out in the January storm, and 130m of road was washed away. The detour now adds at least an hour to a trip - on already fragile roads. Our Louise Ternouth and camera operator Marika Khabazi are in the Coromandel.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Jack Tame, host of Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day:  The Māori Party's co-leaders were booted from the House by the Speaker after the pair led a haka for Meka Whaitiri that not every party agreed to. How much of a flop is this for The Māori Party? The new State Highway 25A bridge is set to be built by early next year- is this good enough? Will Coromandel businesses suffer over the Christmas/New Year period because of it? Were the comments and accusations from One NZ's Jason Paris an overreaction? Should the sponsorship deal be at risk because Jason Paris accused them of bias? Should the sponsorship deal be at risk because Jason Paris accused them of bias? ACT proposed juvenile detention centres to crack down on young offenders- will these be helpful? Can people be swayed to see these as a good idea? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coromandel Peninsula community is eagerly awaiting an announcement on the fate of State Highway 25A due later this morning. The Kopu to Hikuai route has been closed for three months after significant damage from Cyclone Gabrielle. Waka Kotahi has three options on the table; a potential bypass, bridge, or retaining wall. Coromandel MP Scott Simpson told Tim Dower his concern isn't which one it will be, but rather how long it will take to complete. He's hopeful it can be re-opened before summer, as the closure's impact on the community and local businesses has been devastating. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of the crucial inland route through the Coromandel has just been revealed. Waka Kotahi has confirmed the damaged section of State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai will be rebuilt as a bridge. It says a contractor will be ready to start work early next month, with it expected to be finished early next year. Minister of Transport Michael Wood joined Kerre Woodham from the Thames-Corormandel District Council, where he made the announcement this morning. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coromandel continues to suffer from bad weather. State Highway 25, the back-up road for the devastated State Highway 25A is blocked. Thames-Coromandel mayor Len Salt says they are working hard to clear a slip, and it should be open again soon. Salt says the vulnerability to bad weather makes it hard for businesses and the community. He says it's a longstanding issue. "This is the discussion that we've been having with the Government really since the beginning of January. And they're listening, but what we're looking at here is decades of underinvestment in the Coromandel roads." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coromandel businesses are crossing fingers for a bumper Anzac weekend after its local economy lost $30-million in the year's first quarter. A driving lottery has begun via the coastal route until Tuesday as State Highway 25A remains closed to vehicles. It features cameras in secret locations from Thames all the way around to Waihi, photographing random vehicles. Prizes include stays at a beach resort, dive trips and dozens of oysters Destination Hauraki Coromandel's Hadley Dryden told Roman Travers January's poor weather made it a tough summer for local operators. He says for a community reliant on tourism and visitors, it's been hugely significant. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coromandel businesses are crossing fingers for a bumper Anzac weekend after its local economy lost $30-million in the year's first quarter. A driving lottery has begun via the coastal route until Tuesday as State Highway 25A remains closed to vehicles. It features cameras in secret locations from Thames all the way around to Waihi, photographing random vehicles. Prizes include stays at a beach resort, dive trips and dozens of oysters Destination Hauraki Coromandel's Hadley Dryden told Roman Travers January's poor weather made it a tough summer for local operators. He says for a community reliant on tourism and visitors, it's been hugely significant. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Take is easy on the roads if you're driving on the long weekend, as Waka Kotahi warns there will be delays. Easter Weekend and school holidays means potentially thousands on the move over the next couple of weeks. But it is complicated by a highway network severely compromised by cyclone damage - including the indefinite closure of State Highway 25A on the Coromandel. Waka Kotahi's Rob Campbell is asking people to be patient.

Easter would normally be boom times on the Coromandel Peninsula, a playground for Auckland escapees. But the indefinite closure of State Highway 25A - a main route to a number of holiday hotspots - and widespread cyclome damage means the trip there is likely to be a little longer and potentialy rougher than normal. Do they still want visitors on their roads? Thames Coromandel District Mayor Len Salt talks to Lisa Owen.

Come on, are we really going to play this game? Where we all pretend that just because Chippy and Michael Wood announced they would start building the new Auckland harbour crossing by 2029, that it's actually going to happen?  2029 is six years away, it's not happening. Here's why; because this is what happens in construction in six years. Light Rail- Six years ago, 2017, Jacinda Ardern promised Auckland she would build Light Rail.  Six years on, they haven't even started construction and that's on a project she thought would be finished more than a year ago already.  Let's Get Wellington Moving- Six years ago, they were at exactly the same phase as this second crossing is, with four options to choose from. Six years on, they have one pedestrian crossing.  Then on top of that, add the fact that we don't even have enough construction workers in this country to deal with the projects we're dealing with already, never mind this. We still have to rebuild State Highway 5 to Napier, State Highway 25A to the Coromandel, the road from Wairoa to Gisborne and all of the roads and bridges out all over Hawke's Bay and the Gisborne region. All the homes, all the buildings, all the infrastructure, that's going to take a long time to rebuild. We are still, to this day, rebuilding from the Christchurch earthquake 12  years ago. Don't get me wrong, I want this second harbour crossing, but I'm not going to fall for this trick of announcing they're doing it earlier. This is just a cynical and deliberate attempt to move us on from the Stuart Nash stuff. This is a giant, bridge-shaped distraction. Come on. Yes we'll eventually get this crossing, but not by 2029. Nice try, Labour. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The east coast of the Coromandel remains largely cut off from the rest of the country, with access in and out severely impacted by the summer's cyclones. A fix for the biggest slip in the region on State Highway 25A won't be finished before Christmas. But engineers are drawing closer to making a decision on the best path forward. Reporter Tom Taylor and camera operator Nick Monro have the story.

Heavy rain is forcast to hit Coromandel Peninsula again today  Businesses say what seen like never ending storms means they're doing 50 to 90 percent less business than they were last year due to the fragility of road access to the region.. State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai is closed indefinitely and with limited access to the peninsula businesses fear visitors won't visit for the Easter holidays. And as First Up's Matthew Theunissen reports, it's not just tourism operators who are worried.  Some residents are leaving the Coromandel altogether to move closer to the hospital and other essential services.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited fragile roads on the Coromandel Peninsula today. It comes as State Highway 25A connecting Kopu with Hikuai remains closed and State Highway 25 between Opoutere and Hikuai remains severely compromised after a major slip earlier in the week.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has been in the Coromandel region today, to see the destruction of a wet summer with two cyclones hitting the area. He's promised support to businesses desperately needing help to stay afloat, with isolation being their reality for a while yet. The critical road - State Highway 25A - which crosses the peninsula to Tairua - is expected to take at least a year to rebuild. But Chris Hipkins made no promises on what will happen. Checkpoint reporter Louise Ternouth and cameraman Nick Monro are in the Coromandel.

Coromandel could have its ferry service back if the government losened immigration rules to allow more skippers and qualified crew into the country, the boss of Fullers 360 says. Right now road access around the peninsula is precarious, with State Highway 25A out for least a year after a massive chunk collapsed. And SH25 is severely compromised near Opoutere. It is closed most of the day while Waka Kotaki works out how to patch a significant hole. More than a year ago Fullers suspended its Auckland to Coromandel town ferry because of severe staff shortages that are affecting all its shortages. But cyclone road damage has promoted calls for a reboot and expansion of the service to more towns. But Fullers 360 chief executive Mike Horne explains getting to the other side of the peninsula is just too difficult.

Coromandel could be in a hole lot of trouble with another chunk of a key highway disappearing down a hillside. State Highway 25 between Whangamatā and Hikuai is open for essential travel only and later today will close completely for patch up work. The bite out of the road is now almost touching the centre line with earth beneath the remaining seal clearly dropping away and the highway down to one lane. Yesterday maintenance workers had to cut into the bank to give some extra room on the shoulder of the road and allow for one way traffic. The peninsula's other main access road State Highway 25A already has a massive canyon in it and residents are nervous another lifeline road could go. Thames Coromandel emergency management boss Garry Towler talks to Lisa Owen.

Packing up the family and moving, or staying with friends - just to be able to get to school and work. That's the option some Coromandel residents are taking, as the massive State Highway 25A collapse severs a key route in the region. The slip on has taken out more than 100 metres of road. It's seen a return to online learning for some students, and a temporary new home for others. Our reporter Tom Taylor and cameraman Nick Monro have the story.

Some Coromandel residents are facing the prospect of having to move to the other side of a massive slip so they can continue their jobs and schooling. State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai is the key route to the peninsula's east coast towns. It has been holed out and is closed indefinitely. It means people living in towns on the eastern side of Coromandel have to travel the long way through Waihi to get in and out. Our reporter Tom Taylor joins us now from where the road's closed on the Coromandel side.

Several slips have been cleared off coastal roads in Coromandel after the recent devastating flooding. But it will be take much longer to repair State Highway 25A, where 70 metres of the road has been completely washed away. And several homes have been evacuated at the small settlement of Koputauaki due to risk from a dam formed from debris. The Mayor of Thames-Coromandel, Len Salt, spoke to Guyon Espiner.

With Auckland's unrelenting rain forecast to ease tonight, attention is turning to another storm-hit region. A state of emergency has also been declared in the Coromandel, with the region largely cut off due to a severely compromised roading network. A number of slips have closed roads in the area, including a large part of State Highway 25A. Finn Blackwell reports.

Officials have been checking out the newly formed abyss that runs through a key state highway in the Coromandel. A section of State Highway 25A has completely washed away, after cracks first emerged following bad weather in January. The road is the key link to towns like Whangamata, Pauanui, Tairua, Hot Water Beach and Hahei. There's now a massive gaping hole, the earth below is still moving.. and there's no timeline to fix it. Waka Kotahi's Cara Lauder talks to Lisa Owen.

The Coromandel Peninsula has been lashed with rain all month - and there's more to come. Metservice issued another warning for the region on Wednesday night, saying a front moving eastwards across the Bay of Plenty is now expected to "reverse direction" on Thursday and move back towards the Coromandel Peninsula. The region is still scrambling to cope with the last downpour, which led to the collapse of State Highway 25A, among other slips and road closures. Thames Coromandel mayor Len Salt spoke to Corin Dann.  

Coromandel tourism businesses are caught in a perfect storm after battling Covid disruptions. So far the summer has been hampered by rain, and now one of the peninsula's main tourism highways is out of action indefinitely. Part of State Highway 25A has slipped away entirely and Waka Kotahi can't say when it will reopen. The road on the eastern side of the peninsula provides access to hop spots like. Whangamata, Pauanui, Tairua. Hahei and Whitianga. Sheree Webster owns the Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park. She talks to Lisa Owen.  

The roads in and around the Coromandel are increasingly fragile after a pounding of heavy rain, and more to come. Some roads have now reopened, but a large section of State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai has been washed away. And as Krystal Gibbens reports, for many their woes are far from over.

The State Highway network around Coromandel has taken a battering from the rain, and more is on the way within the next 48 hours. The road at the summit of State Highway 25A has completely collapsed. Workers trying to repair State Highway 25 have faced setbacks because of constant slips. Thames-Coromandel Defence Controller Garry Towler says MetService have issued a red-level heavy rain warning. "The whole Coromandel Peninsula is absolutely drenched through, and the Waikato Regional Council believe that if we don't go to red warning, we may not make people aware that sections of the hillside or the rivers may give way and cause a lot of damage." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a stormy night in the north of the country with thunderstorms peppered parts of Auckland, the Coromandel and Northland. Coromandel soaked up the most rainfall - about 80 millimetres - while the MetService said Warkworth and Waitakere were among the harder hit areas closer to Auckland. Right now there is an area of rain between Auckland and Kaitaia, with thunderstorms expected to impact that region through the morning. Fire and Emergency are reporting it fielded about 60 111 calls from Auckland and Northland overnight. Forty-five roads across Auckland remain closed today as a result of slips and flood damage with Auckland Transport saying they have been working around the clock to get them reopened. Last night the South Eastern highway was closed, as is a section of Great north Road. Buses are operating, but there are delays for many as they have needed to take alternative routes. Trains are not be running today with rail replacement buses operating on all lines,. There are a number of slips along the rail network with the eastern, western and southern likely to provide a reduced timetable on Wednesday. Near Auckland, State Highway 2 is closed from Pokeno to Mangatarata, and between Mangatawhiri and Maramarua. State Highway 1 is blocked between Brynderwyn and Waipu. Up North, State Highway 1 is closed near Mangamuka Gorge and near Ruakaka. In Waitomo, a slip has blocked State Highway 37 between Hangatiki and Waitomo Caves - there's no detour because of flooding. In Coromandel, State Highway 25 is closed between Waiomu and Tapu, and Coromandel and Whitianga, while State Highway 25A is blocked from Kopu to Hikuai  Ken Cooper is running the FENZ Region coordination centre in Auckland.  He spoke to Kim Hill.

The northern part of the Coromandel Peninsula remains cut off, due to slips and flooding caused by the torrential rain. People are asked to avoid travelling if they can. State Highway 25 is closed in several places - between Coromandel and Whitianga; and Waiomu to Tapu. It's also closed due on State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai due to further cracks developing at a large washout location. Thames-Coromandel Civil Defence district manager Garry Towler spoke to Corin Dann.

The Waihou River has burst its banks north of Te Aroha, blocking State Highway 26. And in the Coromandel Peninsula, people are being urged to stay off the roads until further notice, with extensive road closures in effect. State Highway 25 is closed between Coromandel Town and Whitianga. And Thames Coromandel Mayor Len Salt told Tim Dower that State Highway 25A between Kopu to Hikuai is likely to be closed for months, after being effectively destroyed by a significant slip. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People on the Coromandel Peninsula are being urged to brace for more heavy rain. There are extensive road closures, including State Highway 25 between Coromandel Town and Whitianga, and State Highway 25A between Kopu to Hikuai. That means many communities, like Whitianga, are once again cut off. Coromandel MP Scott Simpson told Roman Travers that the slips on State Highway 25A will take the highway out of action for months. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A main Coromandel highway is literally cracking, forcing significant travel restrictions with two long holiday weekends looming. Waka Kotahi is investigating the cause of the signficant fissures on State Highway 25A - the link to the eastern side of the peninsula. It's the road used by Aucklanders and Hamiltonians to get to holiday hot spots like Whangamata, Pauanui, Tairua, Hahei and Whitianga. Waka Kotahi Waikato System Manager Cara Lauder talks to Lisa Owen.