![\"Work](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JUCPI9_PD230126BRIDGE2_JPG.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nWork to reinstate the washed-out bridge at Ngaiotonga started on Friday, once diggers could reach the area.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Peter de Graaf\n<\/p>\n
Temporary repairs to a washed-out bridge on Northland’s east coast have restored road access to an area largely cut off from the outside world since last Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Ngaiotonga Bridge on R\u0101whiti Road, east of Kawakawa, was reopened on Saturday after work by contractors, the Far North District Council said.<\/p>\n
But motorists were told to only drive at a crawl over the bridge, until permanent repairs can be completed after the long weekend, a council spokesman said.<\/p>\n
The reopening means residents of \u014cakura, Punaruku and other settlements are now reconnected to the rest of Northland via Russell.<\/p>\n
The route to Whang\u0101rei in the south, however, is still blocked by a massive slip at Helena Bay Hill, which is expected to take weeks to clear.<\/p>\n
Much of the North Island was hit by severe storms this week<\/a>, that brought heavy rain, flooding and landslides.<\/p>\n Names of six Mt Maunganui landslide victims released by police<\/a><\/p>\n The Ngaiotonga Bridge itself was not damaged in Sunday’s flood, but a section of the road approach was washed away.<\/p>\n Repairs were delayed because a multitude of slips stopped contractors reaching the site with materials and machinery.<\/p>\n