Severe weather in June, July and October have left Ruapehu District Council facing a multi-million-dollar repair bill across its roading network, with works expected to take several years to complete.
By Moana Ellis for Local Democracy Reporting
Damage ranges from minor surface issues to major slips and road dropouts, with some areas temporarily isolated. Around 1000 sites across the district have been affected.
Ruapehu District Council land transport manager Jodeci Waru-Savage said the three events caused an estimated $10 million to $14 million in damage.
“Our contractors and local communities did an outstanding job restoring access and addressing safety issues in the immediate aftermath of the October event,” Waru-Savage said.
“Many sites remain vulnerable, however, and full reinstatement is now underway to restore long-term resilience and reliability.”
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency emergency funding arrangements allow the council to prioritise urgent remedial works, but permanent repairs often require full engineering assessments and detailed costings.
“These processes take time, and we appreciate people’s patience as we work through the necessary steps to ensure repairs are done properly and at the lowest possible cost to ratepayers,” Waru-Savage said.
To make the most of the limited summer construction season, more contractors are being brought in to support the council’s main contractor, Inframax. Sites are being grouped into work packages based on location, repair type and contractor expertise to improve efficiency and reduce traffic management costs.
Ratepayers are benefiting from NZTA emergency works funding, which significantly reduces the council’s share of repair costs.
The June and July events alone caused about $4.2 million in emergency works damage, with the council’s share estimated at $1.2 million across the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years.
Under normal conditions, NZTA funds 75% of eligible roading costs. When emergency works exceed 10% of the council’s annual land transport operational budget, the funding assistance rate increases to 95%, leaving ratepayers to cover just five percent.
A handful of sites from the August 2024 weather event, and about 75% of the June and July emergency works, are expected to be completed this financial year, with the remainder finished in 2026/27.
The October weather event triggered more than 350 callouts and caused substantial damage on more than 30 roads.
Early estimates suggest between $8 million and $10 million will be needed to repair about 420 sites, with works expected to take two to three years depending on contractor availability, design requirements and weather conditions.
Some sites are expected to take more than a week to repair, with motorists likely to encounter stop/go controls or diversions.
Affected roads include Kururau Rd, Makokomiko Rd, Ohura-Mokau Rd, Ohura Rd, Oio Rd, Okahukura Bridge Rd, Otunui South Rd, Pukeatua Rd, Saddler Rd, Taringamotu Rd, Uepango Rd, Viles Access Rd and Whanganui River Rd.
Over summer, the council is asking drivers to slow down, take extra care and follow all instructions at work sites to help keep crews and road users safe.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
SHARE ME