Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The Manawatū Gorge has been a vital east -west access way since people first came to the region. For Māori, the river was the highway through the gorge they called Te Āpiti. Road formation and bridge building started in the 1860s. Road improvements developed as the number of motor vehicles increased, and an official opening of the road was held in 1926.
Throughout its history, the road has had regular slips and fallen boulders, with frequent road closures necessary for repair work. When slips closed the road in April 2015 and again in April 2017, the road was closed forever.
Building of a replacement route Te Ahu a Turanga - Manawatū Tararua Highway began in 2020 and is due to be completed mid 2025.
