New road between Manawatu and Tararua set to open

A long-awaited new road over the lower slopes of the Ruahine Range is potentially just weeks away from opening, and locals can't wait. Since rock falls caused the old highway through the Manawatu Gorge to close eight years ago, commuters between Manawatu and Tararua have been forced to take windy alternatives instead. But in this tale of two districts, the worst of times are almost at an end. Jimmy Ellingham reports.