Rockfall closes SH35 near Gisborne

A stretch of State Highway 35 near Gisborne will be closed overnight Saturday after rocks fell on it.

The highway will be shut between Waiau Road and Anaura Road, north of Mangatuna, from 9pm Saturday until 6am Sunday.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said heavy rain over the last day caused rockfalls on SH35.

It said crews spent the day clearing the road, which would close overnight as a precaution.

The agency said abseiling crews would continue to check for loose rocks on Sunday.