State Highway 36 through the Mangorewa Gorge will be closed overnight as crews carry out resurfacing works on Tauranga Direct Road.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the overnight closures will apply between Te Matai Rd and Dudley Rd from 8pm tonight to 5am on May 25 through to May 27.

May 28 has been set aside as a contingency night if weather or other delays affect the work schedule.

During the closures, there will be no through access between Te Matai Rd for Rotorua-bound traffic and the Mangorewa Gorge area near 974 Tauranga Direct Rd for Tauranga-bound motorists.

A detour will be in place via State Highway 2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and State Highway 33 through Paengaroa for travel between Tauranga and Rotorua.

Mangorewa Hamurana Pyes Pa works map. Photo / NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

Local access for residents within the closure area will remain available throughout the works.

Road users are being urged to plan ahead, expect delays and allow extra travel time.

The resurfacing work is weather dependent and could be postponed if conditions are unsuitable.