In the wake of the Tairāwhiti storm last month, a huge repair effort has reopened the final stretch of State Highway 35.
The road, between Tokomaru Bay and Te Puia Springs, has been closed since the 23 March.
It remains down to a single lane in some areas, and will have sections of unsealed road and temporary speed limits for some time.
Waka Kotahi national journey manager Helen Harris spoke to Susie Ferguson.
