Planned significant seasonal road works 2025/2026

Warmer days, smoother ways. 

We're gearing up to make your local roads safer and more enjoyable with our summer season roading upgrades. To help keep local road users in the loop, we've put together an overview plan of the upcoming significant (longer than one month) summer roading projects below.

We’ll be making the most of the warmer, drier weather over the coming warmer months to carry out important maintenance and upgrades, and make Whakatāne District's roads safer for everyone. The warmer months leading up and during summer is the best time for us to do road works as the warm temperatures and dry air help the new materials to dry out quickly and stick to the existing road better, ensuring quality outcomes and longer-lasting roads.

As always, please be patient and follow speed restrictions for safety reasons, including the safety of the people working on the roads.

The below work and timings are weather dependent, and are subject to change.

Tēnā koutou i ngākaunui mai / Thanks for your cooperation.

To find out more about the status of these roading projects you can visit the Road Status Report page.

Please note: Whakatāne District Council is responsible for managing all local roads within the district. State Highways (SH) are managed separately by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

We’ll also be doing smaller general road maintenance odd jobs, as well as continuing to seal gravel roads in our district, so as always, please go slow and drive to the conditions.

If you have any questions on these projects, you can email the roading team at roading@whakatane.govt.nz.

Frequently asked questions

Why is summer a key time for road works?

Warmer spring and summer months are the best time for resurfacing as daylight hours are longer and the warm temperatures and dry air help the new seal stick to the road surface. Warm weather helps ensure the new seal becomes strong and long lasting.

Bitumen and emulsion are liquids when they are hot and hard when cold. They can crack in cold weather, return to a liquid state in high temperatures, and wet road conditions during sealing will affect the bond between the bitumen and the road, leading to chip seal failures.

During the peak summer months it is a balance to programme as much work as we can before schools return, while the roads are quieter, whilst also minimising the effect on people’s holiday travel.

Why do you reseal roads?

The seal on a road is like paint on your house – it keeps water out of the structure underneath. Like paint, the seal breaks down over time and starts to let water in.

When the surface of a road starts to break down it indicates that it is time to reseal. The ideal time to reseal is just before any damage occurs, so your road may still look like it is in good condition when we complete the reseal.

What's the difference between sealing, resealing, resurfacing and rebuilding/rehabilitating a road?

Resealing - stone chips are spread over a layer of hot sprayed bitumen or emulsion. These can take some time to ‘bed’ into the existing road surface, and excess chip is swept off the road after a couple of days.

Resurfacing - the existing road surface is removed, and a pre-made mix of stone chips, bitumen and other products is laid in its place.

Rebuilding/Rehabilitation - the existing road surface and underlying road structure (pavement) is removed, and replaced with new materials. This is also known as pavement rehabilitation, and can involve the recycling of existing material.

Sealing Gravel Roads - gravel roads are sealed with bitumen and chip to improve safety, reduce dust, and lower long-term maintenance costs. Sealing is prioritised based on factors like traffic volume, safety concerns, and community benefit. The Council’s Road Seal Extension Policy guides how and where gravel roads are sealed.

What is the resealing (chip sealing) process?

Prior to resealing we identify any areas of the road base (also known as the pavement) that require strengthening, and these are repaired in advance, known as a ‘pre-reseal repair’.

When we come to reseal a road, we first apply a thin layer of bitumen or emulsion onto the existing road. Then a layer of sealing chip is applied onto the bitumen/emulsion. The sealing chips are rolled into the bitumen to provide initial bond. The road is then re-opened to traffic under a temporarily reduced speed limit of 30km. Loose chips are swept up and the site is road marked, normally within 48 hours of sealing, at which point the temporary speed limit is increased to 50km. Further sealing chip compaction occurs by managing the traffic over the site, and after a few days the site is swept again and the temporary speed limit removed.

Why are there potholes on the roads?

Potholes can occur for a number of reasons, however water is the primary cause. With our older pavements, if there's a crack in the road surface, or a displaced stone, it will allow water to sit in the road surface. As vehicles drive over the ponding water, tyres create hydraulic pressure, forcing the water down into the pavement. Over time, as vehicles continue to run over the pothole, it'll grow in size as weakened areas break off. Sections of road that are due for renewal are often the worst affected areas as the pavement and surface are weaker and are starting to fail.

Potholes will often appear during heavy rain events, and we're seeing these events occur more frequently now due to climate change.

Why isn’t maintenance work completed at night?

Where possible, we work at night to minimise disruption to drivers on key routes. However, night work presents a number of risks for road workers. We are also restricted by various factors, such as noise restrictions, which are intended to ensure residents adjacent to works are treated considerately too.

We also need to consider our proximity to other infrastructure, such as overhead power lines, which may pose a health and safety risk to our teams on the ground.

You completed a renewal last year, why are you sealing the road again this year?

All renewals receive a ‘second-coat’ seal the year after they are re-built. This is due to the initial renewal only including a single coat of chip seal, which is then allowed to settle for approximately 12 months. The second coat is then added to provide a thick, durable layer of chip seal, waterproofing the surface underneath. This process prevents ‘flushing’, which is where the bitumen rises to the surface of the road, making it shiny and slippery.

I damaged my car on a local road, what should I do?

Drivers should have insurance for their vehicles in the event of any damage that occurs on the road. Your insurer should be your first point of contact if your vehicle is damaged. If appropriate, your insurer would then get in touch with us. Find out more about how to care for your vehicle after travelling through road works on our Road works information for affected residents page.

Why is there traffic management when nobody is working on site?

Even when there is no one on site working, we may leave temporary speed limits, signs and cones in place to protect road users. We need to consider reduced visibility, temporary surfaces, weather and changes to the road layout that people may not be used to.

When motorists disregard traffic management, they put their safety, that of other road users and our road workers at risk.

How can I keep myself and the roading crews safe this summer?

To keep everyone safe during road works, please slow down near work sites, follow all posted signage, and stay alert for changing road conditions. Road workers are often just metres from moving traffic, and fresh chipseal can affect your vehicle’s grip. Avoid distractions, respect detours, and allow extra travel time. Your patience and caution help protect the Transport crews and ensure smoother, safer roads for all - meaning everyone gets to go home to their whānau at the end of the day.