Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced completion of sealing a 12-kilometre stretch of State Highway 43 (SH43) through the iconic Tangarakau Gorge, part of a wider safety and resilience programme.
As part of the project, crews have built four new retaining walls along the route, installed over ten culverts to carry water under the road, and constructed two new two-lane bridges. The sealing aims to make the trip safer for all road users, boost tourism numbers, and support economic growth in both Stratford and Taumarunui regions.
The sealing of SH43 is expected to improve accessibility between these two areas and encourage visitor flows from Tongariro National Park through to Egmont National Park. However, drivers are still urged to exercise caution on the narrow sections with one-way bridges.