Key Takeaways
- Repeated road closures on State Highway 2 in the Waioweka Gorge have kept key tourism routes shut for 24 days across January and February, disrupting travel to Gisborne.
- Local tourism operators feel invisible to regional and national agencies, noting a lack of communication from government bodies and the regional tourism board.
- Poor road conditions—especially potholes—make driving hazardous, eroding visitor confidence and prompting last‑minute cancellations.
- Businesses that rely heavily on domestic tourists, such as Dive Tatapouri, have experienced significant revenue drops and staffing challenges due to unpredictable highway access.
- Regional economic development agency Trust Tairāwhiti is gathering impact data to advocate for faster, lasting road repairs and government support.
- Tourism New Zealand acknowledges the disruption but reports no long‑term effect on international arrivals, pledging continued marketing inclusion for Gisborne.
- Operators stress the need for durable, long‑term fixes rather than temporary “band‑aid” patches to restore reliable access and confidence in the region.
Overview of Road Closures and Their Scale
Across January and February, sections of the Waioweka Gorge on State Highway 2 were closed for a total of 24 days. These closures were triggered by the aftermath of Cyclone Vaianu, which caused landslides, flooding, and severe road damage. The intermittent nature of the shutdowns meant that even when the highway reopened, the threat of another closure loomed, creating a climate of uncertainty for anyone planning to travel into or out of the Gisborne region. The cumulative effect has been a substantial reduction in visitor numbers, as potential tourists opt for destinations with more reliable access.
Duncan’s Sense of Invisibility and Lack of Agency Contact
Tourism operator Katrina Duncan expressed frustration that, following the cyclone, she had not been contacted by any government agencies aside from Tourism Industry Aotearoa. She described the experience as “heartbreaking to not be seen and for people not [to be] seen by even our regional tourism board.” This sentiment underscores a broader feeling among local businesses that their concerns are being overlooked in disaster response and recovery planning, leaving them to navigate road‑related disruptions without adequate support or information flow.
Road Safety Concerns Highlighted by Potholes
Duncan also pointed out that “basic things” like potholes were turning highways into dangerous routes. She humorously noted, “In New Zealand we drive on the left, and in Gisborne we drive on what’s left,” highlighting how the deteriorated road surface forces drivers to constantly dodge hazards. Such conditions not only increase the risk of accidents but also deter visitors who fear vehicle damage or unsafe travel experiences, further suppressing tourism demand.
Impact on Dive Tatapouri’s Operations and Bookings
Chris Savage, co‑owner of Dive Tatapouri with her husband Dean, reported that the stingray‑encounter business was significantly down compared to the same period last year. The operator had previously hosted backpacker buses, but one of those contracts ended when State Highway 2 in the gorge was closed. With roughly 60 % of Dive Tatapouri’s clientele being domestic tourists, the company’s viability hinges on the highway remaining open. In April, an Auckland group of eight that had pre‑booked a $400 experience cancelled because sporadic road closures the weekend before made them doubt they could reach Tatapouri Beach.
Savage’s Description of Unpredictable Closures and Planning Challenges
Savage elaborated that the mounting uncertainty makes operational planning extremely difficult: “You’re up one minute, down the next. It’s last minute, you can’t plan your staffing. There’s no confidence to get into the region … every time there’s rain, it’s ‘oh, we’ll close it’ [the highways].” This volatility forces tourism businesses to maintain flexible staffing levels, often resulting in either unnecessary labour costs when roads are open or lost revenue when they are shut. The lack of reliable forecasts erodes confidence not only among operators but also among potential visitors who hesitate to commit to trips that might be disrupted.
Trust Tairāwhiti’s Advocacy and Data‑Driven Approach
Doug Jones, chief executive of Trust Tairāwhiti—the regional economic development agency—emphasized that keeping state highways open and safe is “critical” for Tairāwhiti. He acknowledged that the ongoing disruptions are affecting businesses across the region and noted the real pressure closures place on operators’ ability to function and plan ahead. Trust Tairāwhiti has surveyed local businesses to quantify the impacts of the closures and is using that data to lobby central government for support and to prioritize swift, durable reopening of state highways.
Tourism New Zealand’s Position and Marketing Commitment
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Rene de Mochy told the Gisborne Herald that while road closures can be disruptive for tourism businesses in places like Gisborne, the agency is not observing any long‑term impacts on international arrivals or spending attributable to the current situation. De Mochy affirmed that Tourism New Zealand will continue to work with the regional tourism operator and will keep Gisborne included in its marketing activities. This stance suggests that, although the immediate challenges are recognized, the national tourism body does not view the closures as a threat to New Zealand’s overall international tourism performance at this stage.
Concerns for Other Tourism‑Dependent Enterprises
Savage warned that while Dive Tatapouri is financially prepared to weather further closures, many other operators are not as resilient. She expressed frustration that the district council and Trust Tairāwhiti—entities expected to advocate for the region—appear silent: “The [district] council and Trust Tairāwhiti … those that are meant to be out there advocating, we’re not hearing anything from them.” This lack of visible advocacy heightens anxiety among smaller businesses that lack the cash reserves to absorb prolonged interruptions, raising the risk of closures, layoffs, or permanent shutdowns.
Call for Long‑Term, Durable Repairs
Both Duncan and Savage stressed the need for solutions that go beyond temporary patches. Duncan declared, “I don’t need to be heard. I don’t need to be considered. I just need the roads to be open. I need them to be fixed.” She argued that the current “band‑aid” fixes do not address underlying vulnerabilities and that lasting repairs are essential to restore reliable access. Savage echoed this sentiment, urging authorities to invest in infrastructure that can withstand weather events and provide the certainty tourists and operators need to plan with confidence.
Summary and Outlook
The ongoing highway closures in the Waioweka Gorge have created a cascade of challenges for Gisborne’s tourism sector: reduced visitor numbers, operational instability, safety concerns, and a feeling of neglect from decision‑makers. While national tourism bodies report no lasting damage to international markets, local operators underscore that the region’s domestic‑tourist‑reliant economy is acutely sensitive to road reliability. Moving forward, a coordinated effort—backed by solid data from Trust Tairāwhiti, proactive lobbying for central government support, and investment in durable road repairs—will be essential to rebuild confidence, safeguard livelihoods, and ensure that Gisborne remains an accessible and attractive destination for travelers.