The Remutaka Hill Road serves as a crucial route for transporting goods and services between Wellington and Wairarapa, with 7,219 vehicles using it daily. If it were to close due to a natural disaster, similar to the Manawatū Gorge, it would severely disrupt supply chains and commerce, affecting local businesses and the regional economy. To ensure resilience, Wairarapa must have a contingency plan in place, such as a new highway or a readily accessible alternative route.