Northwestern Motorway links reopen after person dies, clogged traffic clears

It was a slow journey for motorists on the Northwestern Motorway earlier. Photo / NZTA

Two vital links from State Highway 16 to the city centre have reopened this afternoon, after a person died earlier.

The closure just before noon disrupted motorists, with traffic snarled for several kilometres.

The person died near an off-ramp leading into the city centre.

“SH16 and SH1 are now fully open following the prior incident”, NZTA posted on X at 1.20pm.

FINAL UPDATE 1:20PM
SH16 and SH1 is now fully OPEN following the prior incident. ^SG https://t.co/VJT6RHPUNH

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) September 23, 2025

A police spokesperson said earlier emergency services were on SH16 at the Wellesley St off-ramp on the Port link.

A person had died and the Serious Crash Unit has been advised, the spokesperson said.

“The death will be referred to the coroner.”

Traffic was initially backed up to the St Lukes off-ramp, about 3.4km away, but was now free-flowing, according to Google Maps.

Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Editor-in-Chief Murray Kirkness picks the week’s best features, interviews and investigations. Sign up for Herald Premium here.