NZTA is advising people planning Easter travel to delay their trip as there are still a number of State Highway closures in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions, including SH29 over the Kaimai range.

Transport Agency Highways Manager, Niclas Johansson, says if you can't delay you should check before you travel and be prepared for delays.

'If you do decide to travel you are very likely to come across slips being cleared, trees down, roads down to one lane, or even closures so add some extra time to your journey.

'All our contractors are currently on the network working on closures or are checking areas where they may have been problems.

'We are constantly re-assessing how these slips are being cleared and making improvements where we can so we can get these roads open as soon as soon as possible,” says Niclas.

State Highway 29 Kaimai Range is closed because of a large slip at the bottom of the Waikato side. There are also two minor slips. The slips are being cleared and the road is expected to open at around midday. The detour is State Highway 36 and State Highway 5.

People should check the NZTA website and social media for details including when roads open.

• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
• www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

For Waikato/Bay of Plenty updates:

• www.facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP/
• www.twitter.com/NZTAWaiBoP

Bay of Plenty State Highways

• State Highway 34 is closed at Otakiri between Edgecumbe and Te Teko because of fallen power lines. The power lines need to be secured before road is opened.
• State Highway 2 near Pikowai camping ground on the Matata straight is closed because of fallen tree and powerlines. This road is expected to open today. Detour is via SH30.
• The roads closed during Cyclone Debbie or previous projects (SH2 Edgecumbe, SH2 at Waimana Gorge, SH2 Pekatahi Bridge) in the Eastern Bay of Plenty remain closed.

Waikato State Highways

• State Highway 25 – Thames-Coast Rd is closed from Tararu to Preece Point because of several slips. One lane is open for emergency services. There are several slips and we do not yet have an opening time.
• State Highway 2 Karangahake Gorge is open to one lane. Both lanes should be open by 3pm.

In Edgecumbe residents from 216 properties in the south-western area of Edgecumbe will be able to go home this afternoon, most to stay,k says the Civil Defence eastern operations centre.

People living on Tawa Street, Kauri Street, Kowhai Avenue, Kanuka Place, Main Street, Totara Street, Ngaio Place, Matai Street and Rimu Street can go to either of the check-in points – at the northern and southern ends of Main Street – from midday today, where their details will be quickly checked before they access their homes. Return home information packs with clean-up and other useful advice will also be provided.

174 of the homes in this area have not suffered flood damage and the residents involved will be able to reoccupy their homes permanently.

42 homes have suffered significant internal flood damage. People living in those homes will have temporary access today to pick up essential items and assess damage. They will then be asked go to the Edgecumbe Hall to make contact with support people who can help them with information and advice on the process of having their homes repaired.

Meanwhile the Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty emergency operations centre is standing down at 11am today.

The two councils will now operate business as usual. Staff and contractors will continue work to clear any blocked roads, slips and fallen trees as quickly as possible.

While the worst is over, people are asked to please take extreme care on the roads.

Treat all downed power lines as live – please stay clear of any power lines that are on the ground or are low-hanging.

The Tauranga City Council call centre remains open, as does the Western Bay after-hours call service. Residents are advised to report any issues to their local council.