UPDATE 5.48pm: Both sections of State Highway 25 are now reopen, following earlier closures to clear a slip, along with rockfall and flooding.

A Waka Kotahi spokesperson says the Thames to Coromandel section is now reopen under a 50km speed limit.

"Drive with caution through the area and take extra care," says the spokesperson.

The slip previously reported between Thames and Tapu has also been cleared.

EARLIER 4.00pm: State Highway 25 is closed in two locations between Thames and Tapu following a slip, along with rockfall and flooding.

"Avoid this route or delay your journey if possible," says a Waka Kotahi spokesperson.

"Detour via SH25A."

The slip located on SH25 near Rumahunga was first reported on Wednesday, January 11.

"We are still working hard to get SH25 open. We have made good progress and are on track to open later today," says the Waka Kotahi spokesperson.

"Please avoid the area as more traffic will slow the transportation of slip material."

The rockfall and flooding is located slightly "further south" on the same stretch of road near Thornton Bay.

"As a precaution we have closed a section of SH25 between Tararu Creek Road and Ngarimu Heights Road.

"Crews are onsite assessing and we expect the road to reopen later this afternoon providing that no further roads fall. This site is separate from the main slip."

The location of both issues impacting the same highway. Image: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

This comes as wild weather and ex-Cyclone Hale battered the region over the last week, with multiple watches and warnings being put in place during the downpour.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says contractors are working "extremely hard" to clear remaining slips and re-open vital lifelines to communities in Gisborne, the Coromandel and also in the Hawkes Bay.

National Journey Manager Helen Harris says, while people living around the East Cape are extremely resilient, the impact of Ex-Cyclone Hale is testing everyone.

'The welfare of people living near SH35 in particular, is our key concern. We understand how critical this highway is for getting food and supplies to whānau and towns.”

Waka Kotahi is working with emergency services, Gisborne District Council, Eastland Network and Civil Defence to coordinate movement for emergency and service vehicles across the region.

Helen says Waka Kotahi is grateful for the frontline staff who are out there responding diligently to this storm, especially in the wake of the other severe weather events that have affected the region in recent years.

'Some of our contractors and their whānau will have been affected by the damage personally. Yet they prioritise their work in these events each and every time. We are very grateful for their commitment as we couldn't do this without them.”

"Contractors have employed three diggers to try and clear the existing slip at Ruamahunga and geotechnical engineers are on their way to investigate the risk of a slip at the second site," says the Waka Kotahi spokesperson.

"State Highway 25A is open to one lane past remaining slips at Kopu Hikuai. A fresh slip at the waterfall has occurred this morning and it has also reduced the road to one lane. This is expected to be cleared this afternoon."

Waka Kotahi continues to urge motorists to stay off affected roads. If they must travel, they should expect the unexpected and stay alert for unreported hazards.

Helen says we're not out of the woods yet, as further damage could occur on the network, even as the weather improves, "due to saturated ground and unstable slopes".

She advises motorists drive to the conditions, view the latest weather forecast on the MetService website and check their intended route for hazards or disruptions before setting out using the Waka Kotahi interactive Journey Planner website.