Heavy traffic warning as holidaymakers head home

The NZTA is warning motorists to expect delays due to heavy traffic. Photo / NZH

By RNZ

It is expected to be a busy day on the roads, as many people return home from their summer break.

Traffic heading into Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch is currently free flowing.

But a spokesperson for Waka Kotahi says the roads are likely to be busy later on, and there will be delays.

It also says in a tweet that the Mangamuka Gorge on SH1 in Northland will close from midnight so that slip repair works can resume.

REMINDER: #SH1 Mangamuka Gorge will close again from midnight TONIGHT (Sun 10 Jan) so we can continue slip repair works. The road was temporarily opened to one lane for the Christmas/New Years break. Detour via #SH10. More here: https://t.co/3Yr5v0g1YQ. ^MF pic.twitter.com/X7tJZ7Jc9P

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 9, 2021

The section of the highway has been open as a single lane for light vehicles for three weeks over the Christmas / New Year period.

Eleven people died on the roads over Christmas and New Year, which is the highest number in four years.

- RNZ