Wairoa from above, seen from a Civil Defence fly over areas near Gisborne, as experts assessed the damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, on 18 February, 2023. Photo: RNZ/ Kate Green
Two major roads in northern Hawke's Bay have reopened as efforts are made to reconnect the battered region.
The town was hit hard by flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle, which left many homeless, and cut off supply routes, power and communications.
Waka Kotahi said two key routes into Wairoa were reopened after being assessed by geotechnical engineers, with State Highway 2 from Raupunga opening on Tuesday morning.
State Highway 38 between Wairoa and Frasertown also opened on Monday for the first time since Cyclone Gabrielle hit.
NZTA regional maintenance and operations manager Jaclyn Hankin said motorists should not expect the highways to look as they did before the cyclone.
"Temporary traffic management, including temporary speed limits and single lane access, will be in place at various locations and we're asking people to please take care."
With the Waikare River bridge wiped out at Pūtōrino, significant work was needed at Devil's Elbow on SH2, Hankin said.
"It's likely to take several months before the road between Wairoa and Napier can be opened to traffic safely," Hankin said.
"We're working incredibly hard to restore access but safety remains our top priority.
"Where roads are closed, it's to help keep both the travelling public and the crews who are working on these sections of the state highway safe. It also helps us to get the work done more efficiently, ultimately restoring access faster."
A locked gate will also be installed at the top of the Mohaka Hill on SH2 to prevent people accessing Waikare Gorge.
Geotechnical specialists will assess the rest of State Highway 38 this week, with an aim to reopen as far as Tuai later this week or early next week. They will also be looking at SH2 from Raupunga to Pūtōrino.
The condition of State Highway 2 between Napier and Hastings pictured on 15 February. Photo: Waka Kotahi
Assessing drains and pump stations in Wairoa
Hawke's Bay Regional Council says it is inspecting drains and pump stations in Wairoa over a week to see which need repairs or maintenance.
It will involve removing silt from drains, clearing blockages, removing debris, ensuring pump stations are functioning and looking at river mouths.
The regional council said a full review of the drainage scheme, including its capability, was planned.
The Wairoa drainage scheme consists of 51km of drains and four pump stations.
Pasifika medical team deploys team to support workers
The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) has sent a medical assistance team to provide primary care and mental health assistance in Wairoa.
The team will work with local health providers to provide medical and psychosocial support for forestry and freezing works workers.
PMA chief executive Debbie Sorensen said the deployment would reach Pacific workers in the rural areas.
There were a number of Fijian forestry and freezing works employees who are based in the Wairoa district, Sorensen said.
"Our scoping team were able to assess the immediate needs on the ground, and based on this assessment, we are deploying a multi-lingual team to respond and provide essential support."
Skin infections, respiratory issues, stress and anxiety were some of the issues the medical team was seeing in the aftermath of the cyclone, Sorensen said.
The medical team will be deployed to Wairoa until 10 March.