Waka Kotahi has put a 50km/hr speed limit in place on part of the Napier-Taupo Highway for the holiday period.
Yesterday the agency said the southbound passing lane located near the Titiokura Saddle will be closed for safety reasons during the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
The 50km/hr speed restriction was put in place yesterday.
Meanwhile, Waka Kotahi says southbound traffic on State Highway 2 between Hastings and Woodville will be busy today between midday and about 5pm as people begin to head away for the Christmas weekend.
Southbound traffic on the stretch of road is also expected to be busy on Christmas Day itself, with heavy traffic expected between 11.30am and 3pm on Sunday.
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There were two motor vehicle crashes in Central Hawke’s Bay overnight on Wednesday.
At 8.20pm, emergency services were called to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of SH2 and Tapairu Road near Waipawa.
One person was treated for minor injuries at the scene.
Then at about 2am Thursday there was a single-vehicle crash on SH2 near OngaOnga Road.
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Three people have been arrested after a calf was taken from the holding yards at the Farmers Transport Yard in Waipawa earlier this week.
Senior Constable Andy Walker said a load of calves from the South Island were in the holding yards for transport to Gisborne.
He said a white van went into the yard about 9.30 on Tuesday night, with the occupants helping themselves to a calf.
The calf was located on a trailer outside Farmlands in Waipukurau on Wednesday morning.
Mr Walker said a lot of people came forward with information, with video and CCTV footage, resulting in three arrests.
He said further arrests are likely.
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After a cancellation on Monday night due to forecast wet weather, the Centralines Summer Series will kick-off for this year this evening.
The planned Road Trip around the streets of Waipawa has been changed, with singers now basing themselves outside the Waipawa Library from 5.30 this evening.
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Another thunderstorm watch is expected for Hawke’s Bay and Tararua District today.
The Metservice is forecasting thunderstorms and hail for areas south of Napier once again this afternoon.
Meanwhile, heavy showers are expected to clear in time for Santa’s arrival locally tomorrow.
On Christmas Day, Central Hawke’s Bay and Tararua can expect a fine, but cloudy morning, with showers arriving in the afternoon.
