Person dead after Auckland Southern Motorway rush-hour crash, SH1 reopens

Motorists were advised to expect delays following a serious crash on the Southern Motorway this morning. Photo / Supplied

A person has died after their vehicle veered off Auckland’s Southern Motorway and collided with a barrier.

A section of Auckland’s Southern Motorway heading into the city was closed until lunchtime after a crash near the Te Irirangi Drive on-ramp during morning rush hour.

Police today confirmed a person died in the crash after the vehicle veered into the left-hand barrier.

A man was pronounced deceased at the scene, said police.

The Serious Crash Unit attended, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

All lanes have now reopened.

Earlier, all northbound lanes were closed around the crash scene, and traffic was being diverted to an alternate motorway route.

NZTA said the police serious crash unit was on site and for motorists to expect the road to be closed for a few hours.

Emergency services responded to the single-vehicle accident, which happened around 7.50am.

NZTA said the motorway was closed to northbound traffic from the SH20 interchange to East Tamaki due to the crash.

Two nearby on-ramps at Redoubt Rd and Te Irirangi Dr were also closed.

NZTA said to follow the directions of emergency services on site and expect delays.

UPDATE 8:50AM
SH1 is CLOSED to northbound traffic from SH20 interchange to East Tamaki due to a serious crash. Follow the directions by emergency services on-site and expect DELAYS. ^SG https://t.co/ZGmAJEqFNZ pic.twitter.com/ETEezqW4uj

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) August 11, 2025

Earlier, police said the left lane heading north was blocked, with further closures likely.

Motorists were asked to avoid the area and take alternate routes where possible.

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY, NORTHBOUND - CRASH - 8:20AM
Due to a crash, the left lane is BLOCKED after Te Irirangi Dr on-ramp. Pass with care and expect delays. ^SG pic.twitter.com/mTqmYrgE6M

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) August 11, 2025

NZTA said to expect delays and pass with care.

Traffic was gridlocked for approximately 8km back to Karaka from the crash scene.

Hato Hone St John was notified of a crash on the Southern Motorway, Goodwood Heights, at 7.51am – responding with one ambulance and two rapid response vehicles.

Map showing gridlocked traffic from Karaka to the crash scene. Photo / Google Maps

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