Gisborne Residents Warn of ‘Suicide Road’ as Tiniroto Road Potholes Reach Crisis Point

Rural residents in Gisborne are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating state of Tiniroto Road, warning that the route has become a significant safety hazard. Dubbed the “suicide road” by the local community, the stretch of road is plagued by hundreds of crater-sized potholes that are forcing vehicles and heavy trucks to swerve across the center line to avoid damage.

A Community Under Pressure

Tiniroto Road serves as a critical alternative route to State Highway 2 for those traveling to Wairoa, with approximately 50km of the road running through the Gisborne district. Yet, the current condition of the pavement has left residents feeling vulnerable and “completely landlocked.”

Kirsty Playle, spokeswoman for the Tiniroto Community Association, reports a dangerous trend of near misses on the road. Since the community began tracking events in January and submitting dashcam footage to the council, they have recorded an average of three to four near misses per week. Playle has cautioned the Gisborne District Council that allowing Tiniroto Road to serve as a backup option if SH2 closes could lead to a “serious crash.”

The degradation is so severe that some locals have taken matters into their own hands. One farmer reported filling holes near his home with gravel to mitigate the danger, noting that potholes are often left for months until they evolve into craters. To illustrate the scale of the problem, Alex Campbell, manager of Awapapa Station Farm, recently documented the depth and size of the holes by placing his hat inside one of the craters.

Council Response and Delay in Repairs

The Gisborne District Council has acknowledged that Tiniroto Road is under “significant pressure.” While the council stated it is performing ongoing maintenance and recovery work, permanent resurfacing and pavement upgrades have been paused.

According to a council spokesman, these permanent upgrades are on hold until two major projects are further along:

• The majority of cyclone recovery work.
• The construction of the Hangaroa bypass.

The council explained that current heavy traffic and construction activity would likely damage any new surfaces, potentially requiring the work to be redone at an additional cost.

Freight Industry Demands Urgent Action

The concerns aren’t limited to local residents. Transporting New Zealand, a road freight association, has called on the Gisborne District Council to urgently repair the road. The association warned that the deteriorating conditions are creating serious safety risks and increasing costs for freight operators and other road users traveling between Gisborne and Wairoa.

Key Takeaways: Tiniroto Road Crisis

• Safety Risks: Residents report “hundreds” of crater-sized potholes causing vehicles to swerve across the center line.
• Incident Rate: The community has tracked three to four near misses per week since January.
• Infrastructure Gap: The road is a vital alternative to State Highway 2, yet residents fear it is too dangerous to serve as a backup.
• Delayed Upgrades: Permanent resurfacing is paused to avoid damage from cyclone recovery and Hangaroa bypass construction.
• Industry Pressure: Freight operators are demanding urgent repairs due to rising costs and safety hazards.

As the community continues to provide evidence of the road’s decline, the pressure mounts on the Gisborne District Council to find a balance between long-term infrastructure planning and the immediate safety of those who rely on Tiniroto Road daily.