State Highway 25 is now open to light traffic and only under traffic management following an earlier closure today due to an extensive under-slip between Whangamata and Hikuai.

With more than 80mm of rain overnight the road let go with what has been described as a significant slip.

It remained closed until mid-afternoon while engineers investigated the areas.

Thames Coromandel’s Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler said the road closure had cut off the peninsula’s eastern seaboard including Whitianga, Taiura and Pauanui, leaving access only through the Thames Coast Road.

He said engineers were aware of the importance of the road and would endeavour to get one lane open as soon as possible. This would not happen until a full assessment had been undertaken which he believed would take most of the day.

Meanwhile a number of houses experienced water inundation in Whangamata’s Chartwell area last night. No evacuations were required, the Whangamata Fire Service was required to answer seven calls.

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