Emergency Airlift: 40 Rescued from Waioeka Gorge as Massive Slips Bury State Highway 2
By Lions Roar News Regional Desk
OPOTIKI / GISBORNE (Saturday, January 17, 2026) — A dramatic rescue operation is underway in the Eastern Bay of Plenty today after massive landslides triggered by relentless rain cut off the Waioeka Gorge, trapping dozens of motorists.
Authorities have confirmed that more than 40 people have been successfully airlifted to safety by emergency helicopters, while State Highway 2 (SH2) remains closed indefinitely between Opotiki and Gisborne.
🚁 The Rescue Mission
Stranded travelers, including families and commercial truck drivers, were left with no exit as slips came down at both ends of the gorge. With road access completely blocked and the terrain unstable, search and rescue teams made the call to begin air evacuations early this morning.
- Airlifted: Over 40 individuals have been flown to evacuation centers in Opotiki.
- Condition: While many are shaken and cold, no serious injuries have been reported at this stage.
- On-Site: Some heavy vehicles remain trapped in the gorge, and drivers were instructed to stay with their rigs until they could be safely picked up.
🚧 State Highway 2 Status
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has issued a “Red Alert” for the route. The Waioeka Gorge is the primary link between the Bay of Plenty and the East Coast, making this closure a significant disruption for freight and travel.
- Extent of Damage: Initial aerial surveys show multiple “major” slips, with trees, mud, and boulders covering hundreds of meters of the highway.
- Expected Reopening: Geotechnical engineers are on-site, but NZTA warns that the road will likely remain closed for several days.
- Detour: Motorists are being diverted through the East Cape (SH35), which adds several hours to the journey between Opotiki and Gisborne.
🌧️ A Region Under Pressure
The slips follow a week of extreme weather across the North Island. The ground in the Waioeka area is now so saturated that engineers are concerned about “secondary slips” occurring even after the rain stops.
“The priority right now is life safety. Once everyone is out of the gorge, we can begin the massive task of clearing thousands of tonnes of debris,” a local civil defense spokesperson said.
