Waka Kotahi has found a solution to permanently fix SH23 following the slip that broke the divvy during Cyclone Gabrielle.
While the temporary road was being built they were also investigating the cause of the slip and devising a solution which they are now working on.
Jo Wilton, Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery for Waikato and Bay of Plenty, says a number of options were considered.
“As the ground conditions under the slope were worse than expected, it soon became clear that the best solution was to build a geosynthetic-reinforced retaining wall, which will have concrete piles drilled deep in the hillside to support it.” (listen to the bulletin below:) The piles are known as ‘continuous flight auger piles’. At SH23 these are being drilled to a depth of 12m, with concrete then injected through the auger drill as it is slowly removed, creating a continuous pile without ever leaving an open hole.
With resurfacing work, installation of guard rails and lane markings needed to complete the project, Waka Kotahi is aiming for the highway to reopen in May – though this will be weather dependent.
Boat ramp fees look to be on the way for Raglan with the Community Board submitting to the full council to charge a fee of around $100 a year for boaties to park their trailers and use the boat ramp. Ratepayers and Raglan Sportfishing Club members would get a discount in this proposal and money raised would be used for the upkeep of the boat ramp.
The proposed work on the Wi Neera Walkway looks like it’s going to be limited by a very tight budget. Council engineers have said that the seawall below the walkway is nearing the end of its life. It was thought that any work done there would probably have to meet modern standards in terms of parth width and railings and it doesn’t look like there is room in current budgets for that to happen at this time.
Xtreme Zero Waste says that the new Te Uku drop off facility has been overly successful with so much dumping happening they’ve had to increase their service days from 3 to 5 times a week which they are currently doing for free, although discussions are going on with council to remedy that. There is a suspicion that a fair amount of illegal dumping is also happening at the site – which has no permanent staff. Xtreme also says the new drop off point in Te Mata will soon be ready as they are just waiting for concrete to be laid at the site.
And it looks like commercial Scooter companies won’t be operating in Raglan any time soon. Aside from our steep territory reportedly being a problem for electric scooters https://raglanradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/RCR_waka-kotahi.jpg