On Thursday, Northland celebrated the reopening of State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyns, its main connection with the rest of New Zealand, after a four-month closure. The highway was busy with heavy trucks, commuters, and business travelers, happy to avoid the detour routes they had been using.
One of the frequent travelers, Manpreet Brar, the owner of the Hunter Star Hotel in Kawakawa, expressed his excitement about the reopening. He described the detour routes as exhausting and time-consuming, especially when carrying stock in his truck.
Kathleen Paraha of Whangārei, who had stopped traveling to Auckland due to the closure, was also thrilled about the reopening. Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo and Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson drove to the lookout to celebrate the region’s reconnection to the rest of the country. They acknowledged the hardships faced by truck drivers during the closure and the severe impact it had on the region, both emotionally and economically.
The reopening was also a relief for businesses in Kaiwaka, a town on State Highway 1. The closure had resulted in a 50% drop in takings from day one for Eutopia Café. The reopening is expected to bring life back to the North and make a significant difference to businesses.
However, businesses in Waipū had a different experience during the closure. The town became a busy stop for travelers, which was beneficial for businesses like Waipū Central. Manager Paula McLean hopes that some of the customers they gained during this period will continue to visit.
State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyns was initially closed for two months due to major landslides triggered by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2022. The road was closed again for more extensive work starting on 26 February this year. The reopening was earlier than expected, just before the Matariki weekend. The road works involved removing and shoring up large sections of the hillside above the highway. The initial budget for the work was just over $60 million, but that increased to $84 million due to additional landslides and other factors.
Another section of State Highway 1 through Mangamuka Gorge remains closed due to landslides and is expected to reopen by Christmas.
