Russell Road closure at Helena Bay Hill

Aerial photo showing a very large land-slip on Russell Road.

Russell Road is currently closed at the Helena Bay Hill, beyond the Helena Bay Gallery and Café, due to a landslip caused by the January 2026 storm event.

Anyone travelling to the east coast of the Whangārei District, between Helena Bay and the Whangaruru Peninsula, must use the fully sealed northern route:

Travel north on State Highway 1 to Opua
Take the vehicle ferry to Okiato
Continue via Russell - Whakapara Road

This road is fully sealed and suitable for any vehicle types.

Locals and anyone performing priority travel (for example, contractors making repairs) may use Kaiikanui Road via Pigs Head Road and Webb Road.

Delays should be expected and travellers ae advised to allow plenty of time.

For information on access conditions and restrictions, please visit the following page:

Kaiikanui Road limited access

Please see the route map below for details.

Civil Defence map showing alternate routes north of Whangārei. Green marks the preferred Ōpua – Russell ferry route. Yellow marks Karetu / Waikare Road. Orange marks Kaiikanui Road (light‑vehicle priority). Russell Road is red and closed.

Download a high-quality PDF version of this map(PDF, 726KB)

Location

1697-1703 Russell Road, Helena Bay 0184, Helena Bay, 0184, View Map

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Russell Road closure at Helena Bay Hill

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