Road safety advocates are calling for calm and common sense when driving around Northland roads this holiday season.
Road safety advocates are calling for calm and common sense when driving around Northland roads this holiday season.
With more people travelling on Northland roads over the holidays, road safety advocates and NZ Transport Agency are urging motorists to plan ahead and drive with care.
To date, 23 people have died on Northland roads this year, according to Ministry of Transport figures.
RoadSafe Northland road safety co-ordinator AshleyJohnston said that in the lead-up to Christmas and during the holiday season, motorists were often distracted and fatigued.
She urged drivers to “be patient on our roads”, get plenty of sleep before they get behind the wheel, and always wear seatbelts.
“Travel over the holidays can look different to how we travel normally.
“A lot of families will have kids and pets in the car, and there’s the potential to be distracted by cellphones ... people are busy, they’re in a rush, they’re impatient.
“We all need to take a step back and go ‘if this goes wrong is it worth it’.”
Johnston also reminded Northlanders to “be mindful” that many motorists will be from out of town, and “not used to our roads”.
“Be understanding and patient when sharing the road,” she said.
“Remember we all have a family we’d like to go home to at Christmas.”
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) maintenance and operations regional manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult agreed, urging motorists to “pack some patience along with the presents”.
“Don’t let fatigue or impatience take the joy out of Christmas.
“Trying to make up lost time by speeding or unsafe overtaking puts everyone using the road at risk.
“A calm, careful trip is the best gift you can give yourself and others on the road.”
NZTA is pausing state highway roadworks across Northland over the Christmas and New Year break to help keep holiday journeys incident-free.
Meanwhile, NZTA is pausing state highway roadworks across Northland over the Christmas and New Year break to help keep holiday journeys smooth.
This year’s annual holiday shutdown is from midday on December 19 to 11.59pm on January 4.
Hori-Hoult said road crews would be taking a well-earned break to recharge and prepare for a busy 2026.
“Christmas is all about connecting with whānau, friends and enjoying summer plans.
“Pausing most works helps keep traffic flowing so people can get where they need to go.”
Several major maintenance and recovery sites have made good progress heading into December, Hori-Hoult said.
SH1 Mangamuka Gorge slip repair: Work is well underway to install a new 48m retaining wall after September. Stop/go will remain in place 24/7 until mid-December, with the road fully open over the Christmas/New Year period. Stop/go will return in early January, with completion expected by May .
SH1 Long Hill, Waiomio slip repairs: Excavation is progressing well, and the site will be secure for the holidays. Works pause on December 18 and resume January 5, with project completion expected by March.
SH10 between Oromāhoe Rd and Porotu Rd road rebuild: All temporary traffic management will be lifted for the Christmas/New Year period and will be reinstated from early January. Road rebuilding is scheduled until February.
Hori-Hoult said wet weather in spring and early summer has had an impact on road sealing and in some areas, sealing will need to take place early in the new year.
Sites along SH1 will be a focus, including resealing SH1 near Ruakaka (four nights) and SH1 Brynderwyns – Kaiwaka – Topuni (two weeks).
Motorists are urged to check navigation apps and NZTA’s journey planner to plan their journeys.
Top tips for a safe trip:
Plan ahead: Use the NZTA Journey Planner .
Allow plenty of time: Expect delays at peak travel periods.
Drive to the conditions: Weather, road, traffic and the time of day .
Take breaks: Stop regularly and share the driving.
Avoid distractions: Put the phone away .
Buckle up: Every trip, every seat .
Be patient : You’re on holiday, there’s no need to exceed the speed limit.
Check your vehicle is safe to drive before travelling: Tyres, brakes, wipers, lights, indicators, cooling system and WOF.
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.
