Holiday traffic delays begin to bite

Traffic is at a near standstill for drivers leaving Wellington and Auckland.

Holidaymakers heading north from Auckland are causing huge delays, with traffic barely moving between Silverdale and Wellsford.

Traffic leaving Wellington is bumper to bumper from Paekakariki to Te Horo and some people have let their children out to play frisbee on the side of the road.

Those travelling between Waikanae and Otaki in the lower North Island were earlier warned to expect delays as passing lanes had been reduced to one lane from Paraparaumu.

Police are advising motorists heading north from Auckland to use SH16 as an alternative route.

Heading in the opposite direction, traffic on SH2 is also "chocker" but eases closer to the Coromandel turn-off.

- NZ HERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB