Waka Kotahi NZTA/Supplied
A total of five retaining walls have been built as part of the repairs to State Highway 1 at Mangamuka Gorge. For those living south of the slips, the drive time to Kaitaia doubled from 30 minutes each way to an hour. The closure has also impacted the Bay of Islands and Doubtless Bay communities on the alternate route north, State Highway 10, which has been marred by congestion and crashes. For Mangamuka Dairy owner Eliza Kete, the official opening is a bit of an anti-climax. “It’s going to be great that it’s going to be open, but because we’ve waited such a long time we’re not overly excited now.”