All lanes on Auckland’s Harbour Bridge have reopened, but a reduced speed limit remains in place as strong winds lash the key city route during rush hour.
A strong winds alert has been in effect for the bridge since before 11am today, with the speed limit being dropped to 50km/h.
Lanes were also reduced temporarily, but fully reopened shortly after 1.30pm.
Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are being urged to delay their journeys or detour on the Western Ring Route (SH18/16).
UPDATE 2:40PM
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) August 29, 2025
All lanes are now OPEN, however, temporary speed limits remain in place on SH1 Auckland Harbour Bridge. Take extra care, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles ^SG https://t.co/A2KTA767u7
“Please drive with care – high-sided vehicles and motorcycles should drive with extra caution,” said NZ Transport Agency.
Earlier traffic data from Google Maps showed vehicles were reduced to a crawl leading up to the bridge, with queues back to Spaghetti Junction heading north and from Milford heading south.
Thunderstorms, strong winds and possible hail have been forecast for parts of New Zealand just before the start of spring.
MetService forecaster Michael Pauley told the Herald a region of unstable air would hit today.
“There are quite a few thunderstorm risks around, with some hail where some of them could be squally.
“We’re expecting some strong wind gusts.”
🌩️Energetic Skies🌩️
— MetService (@MetService) August 28, 2025
⚡Our Thunderstorm Outlook shows the risk of not only thunderstorms and rain, but also strong wind gusts and hail.
👀These showers are moving pretty quick, but they could still have an impact so, keep an eye on the radar here: https://t.co/prKU7NLNY1 pic.twitter.com/lYiJFysQSP
The unsettled weather would affect the western regions of New Zealand, Pauley said.
“Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, down through Waitomo, Waikato, Whanganui and the Tararua district.”
MetService issued a strong wind watch for Hawke’s Bay south of Napier, the Tararua district, and Wairarapa north of Martinborough from 6am until 8pm.
“We’re expecting heavy showers and also snow to lower on some of the South Island mountain roads.”
MetService issued snowfall warnings for the Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd in the South Island from early today until this afternoon.
Pauley said the strong westerly winds and possible thunderstorms in the North Island were forecast to ease by evening.
However, the winds and rain are forecast to return during the last weekend of winter.
New Zealand tended to get stuck in spring’s westerly flow, Pauley said.
“We are expecting those showers to continue during the weekend. Because it is unstable, there is a risk it will be heavy.
“The way that the winds are blowing means the southerly flow will continue into the weekend. Western regions can continue to get a bit wet throughout Saturday and Sunday.”