The road was closed for two-and-a-half-years after being damaged in 2022 by bad weather.
Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge is closed, just a day after it was reopened following a two-and-a-half-year repair job, due to a crash.

The road connecting Northland with the Far North reopened to the public on Friday after a two-and-a-half-year closure for repair work.

Hato Hone St John said it sent three ambulances and a helicopter to the scene, near Rangiahua Road, airlifting one patient to Northland Base Hospital in a serious condition.

The road is closed between Rangiahua Rd and Perry Rd.

The crash was reported at about 9.20am.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said people should avoid the area and consider an alternative route, as it could be several hours before the road was reopened.

The serious crash unit has been advised.

A 13km stretch of highway through Mangamuka Gorge in the Far North, just south of Kaitāia, was destroyed by slips during torrential rain in August 2022.

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