A crowd of about 200 worried Raetihi locals cheered this afternoon when they were told State highway 4, which has been blocked by a massive slip to the town's south, will be repaired.
A 400-metre stretch of the road between Whanganui and Raetihi completely collapsed and slid down a hillside at the beginning of the month.
It means less through traffic and business for the central North island town, longer travel times to times to Whanganui Hospital, with some children having to go cross-country to get to school.
Locals are worried Raetihi could turn into a ghost town if the highway is not fixed quick smart.
Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron has been at the first of two meetings with locals, the NZ Transport Agency and Civil Defence.
He joins Lisa Owen with the latest details.
