Rebuilding Tairawhiti

In 2023, Tairāwhiti faced a series of severe weather events that inflicted extensive damage across the region. Located on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, Tairāwhiti is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage and vibrant community, so when Cyclone Gabrielle reared its head in early 2023, the devastation that followed significantly impacted Tairāwhiti’s community and its network.

The cyclone caused numerous slips and dropouts severing many critical highway connections. Communities, visitors and workers were left disconnected, with many roads becoming unsafe to travel on or entirely impassable. This led to an urgent need to repair the damaged roadways and reconnect the region’s networks, becoming a national priority that required immediate and focused attention.

After Cyclone Gabrielle’s significant damage to highway networks, the New Zealand Traffic Authority (NZTA) recognized the urgency of reconnecting these critical routes. Following a series of assessments, it became evident that the pavement conditions on State Highway 2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne posed a major risk, especially with winter approaching.

The NZTA determined that a solution was needed to quickly restore road conditions to ensure the continued transportation of goods into and out of Tairāwhiti – and they needed to engage pavement specialists who were renowned for their work with the appropriate solution.

The Tairāwhiti Road Recovery Project commenced in Autumn, a period marked by continued rainfall and adverse weather conditions. Faced with the urgent need to restore road access after the cyclone and subsequent flooding, HIWAY was determined to ensure the safety and connectivity of local communities, arriving on-site within three weeks to complete the works.

Despite challenging conditions, HIWAY was able to utilise local materials, while collaborating closely with partners, to keep disruptions and costs to a minimum. Their ability to adapt and respond rapidly ensured all roads were repaired efficiently, highlighting their commitment to delivering quality outcomes, even amongst the most challenging circumstances.

Prior to FBS work and rehabilitation commencing, the project sites required minor enabling. These were completed, and then HIWAY arrived on site to conduct pre-treatment of the existing pavement, introducing new material where required, and applying lime to control moisture levels.

Following the pre-treatment, foamed bitumen was efficiently injected into the pavement. With moisture level remaining a crucial element of this process, timing and sequencing during this phase was critical. Once completed under time constraints, the pavement was prepared for surfacing, followed by line marking.

Despite unpredictable weather conditions, HIWAY took only eight days (on average) to construct each site, moving between different parts of the network over the course of the project. This agility enabled HIWAY and all project partners to remain productive throughout the project’s duration, ensuring efficient use of resources, minimising downtime, and ultimately achieving the project's goals on schedule and to a high standard.

Throughout the project, pilot vehicles were used to manage vehicle speeds past the worksite. Based on site audit feedback and lessons learned, the team quickly added extra variable message boards to advise road users what to expect. The pilot vehicles allowed vehicle speeds to be managed dynamically, keeping the community moving over newly constructed or sealed sections to minimise the risk of flushing. Education was an important part of the traffic management approach and was executed by both TTM suppliers and HIWAY to ensure the local community felt informed and aware of the impact of the works.

The risk-based temporary traffic management approach provided a safe and efficient working environment, with crews reporting unprecedented safety levels in live road conditions. This system not only ensured safety but also enhanced efficiency by reducing equipment setup and takedown times. As the project progressed, resource sharing among suppliers and improved journey management further contributed to the programme's success. Collaborative efforts between all stakeholders led to the project delivering 43 lane kilometers under budget, reflecting the effectiveness of the integrated approach and a commitment to achieving shared goals.

The local feedback while the works were being completed was excellent, with HIWAY continually requesting input from the community to ensure minimal (additional) disruption. As the community’s lives had already been upended due to the weather-induced road conditions, it was essential for HIWAY and project partners to keep the community front-of-mind and informed, every step of the way, ensuring the project ran smoothly without inconveniencing locals more than they already had been.

The successful execution of the Tairāwhiti Road Recovery Project has earned HIWAY a finalist nomination for the ‘Excellence In Maintenance & Management of Assets, Including Routine Maintenance Projects Award’ as part of the Civil Contractors NZ Construction Excellence Awards. This recognition highlights the company’s ability to deliver high-quality, large-scale infrastructure projects under challenging conditions, while maintaining a strong focus on community benefits and collaboration. HIWAY’s submission for this award was completed in collaboration with the New Zealand Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) who were the principal for the Tairāwhiti Project, bringing contractors and partners together to support the diverse range of work required. 

Through its partnership with NZTA and other infrastructure specialists, HIWAY Group demonstrated its unwavering commitment to delivering solutions that prioritise community safety, sustainability, and effective collaboration. The Tairāwhiti Road Recovery Project stands as a testament to HIWAY’s dedication to excellence and its ability to rise to the occasion, no matter how significant the challenges.