Avoid State Highway 1: Tokoroa, Kinleith, Atiamuri road closure ...

In a statement on its website, NZTA advised those travelling longer distances to choose an alternative route to SH1.

“With the many closures and longer detour routes, it will potentially be quicker,” the website said.

“From Hamilton, take SH3 to Te Kūiti, and then SH4 to Taumarunui and National Park, then SH49 to Ohakune and on to Waiouru.”

The closure has prompted expressions of concern from Tokoroa’s business community.

Tokoroa Business Incorporated chairperson Roger Dower told the Waikato Herald the road closure would have a negative impact on local businesses along SH1.

“People are bypassing Tokoroa as they are going out of their way,” Dower said.

Dower said the road closure would make “business hard” and cost both customers and business owners.

“I hope the roadworks fix the road for good and fix it right,” Dower said.

NZTA’s website acknowledged queries from businesses asking for compensation for those adversely affected by road closures.

“We recognise and acknowledge there will be inconvenience and disruption to people while this work is carried out,” the website said.

According to the website, businesses are entitled to compensation for “business loss” only when they are required to relocate because land has been acquired.

“Therefore, businesses who are impacted by works but are not required to relocate because we acquired their land, are not entitled to any compensation for their business losses.”

The website said NZTA endeavoured to keep those affected as informed as possible. A drop-in-session was hosted in Tokoroa on October 3. NZTA had also completed “a lot” of letterbox drops of information in the Tokoroa area.

“We acknowledge that road maintenance is disruptive,” the website said.

“On the positive side, the road closures mean there will be relatively short periods of inconvenience, and then a considerably longer period when there are far less roadworks.”

The website said additional signage will be placed at the detour point advising businesses beyond that point are still open.

“We need to advise the detour earlier to those on longer journeys so they can use the appropriate state highways.”

Roadworks already underway this month:

Coming up in the future:

Planned for 2025: