Waka Kotahi says it's been "challenging" for Kiwis across the upper North Island after Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed many key roading networks into communities.
Waka Kotahi national emergency response team leader Mark Owen told AM Cyclone Gabrielle caused a "significant impact" on state highways and bridges across the top of the North.
And now as authorities and Kiwis wrap their heads around the substantial damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, Mark says the key focus for Waka Kotahi is restoring road access to communities currently shut off.
"The sort of three focus areas are obviously up in Northland, we've still got State Highway One closed to Whangarei, but there are some detours in place," Owen told AM.
"The Coromandel, teams have been working really hard, we've got about 80 percent of State Highway 25 around the Coromandel open. But there is still two segments that are still closed between Thames and Coromandel township, and Coromandel and Whitianga so that's still inaccessible."
Owen is pleading with Kiwis to not "travel unless you absolutely have to". He said essential services and freight are priorities on the flood-stricken roads.
He added repairs are likely to "take some time" but "our contractors are working really hard to restore some of those key links".
Watch the full interview above.
