SH2 at Waioweka Gorge shut for rest of day

Waioweka Gorge on State Highway 2 between the East Coast and Bay of Plenty will remain closed for the rest of Tuesday as heavy rain continues to threaten the region.

The NZTA said it planned to reassess the road once the weather warning was lifted, with an inspection planned for first light Wednesday.

The road was first closed Monday evening amid an orange heavy rain warning from MetService.

The NZTA described the route as "especially vunerable in poor weather".

Since the initial precautionary closure, the NZTA said rocks and debris had fallen on the road.

Metservice extended its regional heavy rain forecast to a further 60-100mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, leading to the extended closure.

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The forecaster said peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h were to be expected, but 25 to 40 mm/h in possible localised downpours. There was little chance of the warning being upgraded to a red status.

The NZTA said no convoys would be escorted through the Gorge during the closure.