State Highway 2 through Karangahake Gorge will be closed to all traffic from 9pm on Thursday until 5.30am the following day.

People wishing to travel between Waihi and Paeroa during the closure can use an alternative route via SH25/25A, however this will add around one-and-a-quarter hours to the trip.

State Highway 2 through Karangahake Gorge will be closed on Thursday.

Motorists travelling between Auckland and Tauranga are advised to use SH29 over the Kaimai Range, says the NZ Transport Agency.

The closure is necessary to allow contractors to resurface a narrow 200m section of the gorge road between Paeroa and Waihi, near the Karangahake Reserve.

People in the communities of Waikino and Karangahake will have access to Waihi, while people in the community of Mackaytown will have access to Paeroa during the closure.

'On April 10 there will be additional work in the area near Mackaytown,” says a statement from the roading agency.

'Stop/go traffic management will be in place from 9pm until 5.30am the following day and motorists should expect short delays.

'The Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience and thanks motorists for their patience and understanding.”