Transport Minister Michael Wood says Cyclone Gabrielle has had a "major impact" on the road and rail network across the upper North Island.
"The impact on the transport network has been vast across both road and rail," Wood told AM.
"What's a little bit different about this series of events over the last few weeks, it's not just one region like we have sometimes had in the past, it's Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Tairāwhiti, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay - major impact on critical arterial routes there."
He spent much of Wednesday on the Coromandel Peninsula, inspecting the damaged roading network there from a helicopter. He said the destruction was "severe" and some routes will be "long-term projects", such as State Highway 25A across the peninsula.
Wood promised the Government would restore the transport links, but some would take time.
Watch the full interview above.
