Humes Precision Delivery at Devil’s Elbow
Devil’s Elbow, State Highway 2 (SH2), Hawke’s Bay
Devil’s Elbow was a joint venture between Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) - Waka Kotahi / NZTA, Civil and Higgins Contracting established to repair the region’s severely damaged roads following Cyclone Gabrielle. Most of Devil’s Elbow was reduced to one lane after Cyclone Gabrielle. TREC worked as quickly as possible to restore it back to 2 lanes.
Coordinating on the Edge
The Devil’s Elbow stormwater resilience works demanded exceptional coordination, tight night‑shift scheduling and agile responses to rapidly changing conditions. Positioned on a narrow, exposed section of SH2, the site required careful planning as TOA Civil and Higgins Contracting installed multiple culverts and a DN2500 precast manhole supplied by Humes. The manhole’s delivery involved a piloted load from Papakura and precise crane timing within restricted night‑time road‑closure windows.
Customer Service You Can Rely On
Humes’ role focused on project‑managed product
delivery, ensuring accurate documentation, reliable communication, and exact timing to support the night‑shift crews. With two units in stock and shop drawings ready immediately, Humes enabled early preparation and supported the development of a detailed lift plan with Hawke’s Bay Cranes & Platforms. Daytime coordination bridged the gap between suppliers and night crews, preventing delays during the “passing ships in the night” workflow.
Despite torrential rain and an electrical storm halting operations, the team mobilised quickly once a weather window opened. The Humes DN2500 manhole was lifted directly from the truck into the prepared excavation, with success hinging on Humes’ delivery precision and communication. This final drainage component was completed on schedule, demonstrating the value of proactive coordination and flexible support in challenging environments.
Waka Kotahi / NZ Transport Authority
“The support provided by Humes Account Manager, Jeremy Green, along with the Humes Hawkes Bay team, throughout the Stormwater Resilience Works was outstanding. With most of the construction activities being undertaken at night, I was often placing orders after hours, and Jeremy and the team consistently ensured materials were organised and delivered during the day to support the following night's works. Their responsiveness, communication, and commitment to meeting programme requirements played a significant role in the successful delivery of the project.” Bevan Kyle, TREC (Waka Kotahi / NZTA)
In review…
Principle: Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) - Waka Kotahi / NZTA
Project: Devil’s Elbow Stage 2
Main Contractors: TOA Civil and Higgins Contracting
Location: Devil’s Elbow, State Highway 2 (SH2), Napier to Wairoa Road, Hawkes Bay
Product: Humes DN2500 Manhole
More Information
SH2 Devil’s Elbow: Major Cyclone Gabrielle Repairs Now Complete
