‘Sunbathing’ pig causes traffic to halt on Auckland’s Northwestern motorway

A stray pig on the loose for two weeks has struck again, halting traffic temporarily on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway.

The animal control teams and police responded just before 11am today and westbound traffic was blocked.

Auckland Council team leader Animal Management West Aaron Neary said their team was called again to assist police and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency around 9.45am when the pig who had evaded capture on Saturday had returned near the Te Atatu Rd on-ramp on State Highway 16.

“Two Animal Management Officers arrived around 10.30am, police and Waka Kotahi were already on site and had experienced stock handlers with them.

“The pig was ‘sunbathing’ in a bush area next to the motorway but upon our arrival it disappeared into the bush and our staff left the site at 11am.”

At no time was the pig on the motorway but police did create a rolling traffic block during the attempt to catch the animal which was still on the loose, Neary said.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said westbound traffic on State Highway 16 had been temporarily blocked at the Te Atatu Rd interchange.

It asked motorists to delay their journey until lanes could be reopened shortly.

SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY - 10:35AM
Due to an animal control issue westbound traffic has been temporarily blocked on #SH16 at Te Atatu Rd interchange. Delay your journey until lanes can be reopened shortly. ^TP pic.twitter.com/PI0YKjTZPp

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 31, 2023

On Saturday, armed officers were looking for the pig near the Te Atatu motorway on-ramp on the Northwestern Motorway towards Auckland after it was reported at about 4pm amid heavy westbound traffic.

Police at the scene appeared to have lost sight of the pig shortly after 5pm and were turning their attention to an area of bush near the on-ramp. Officers were also awaiting the arrival of animal control.