Traffic: Delays on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway city-bound after five-vehicle crash

• City-bound traffic is heavy and backed-up on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway after a five-car crash near St Lukes and another at Te Atatū.
• Police warn of ‘heavy delays’ and advise motorists to detour.
• Auckland Transport has added services, including school buses, to handle increased demand during ‘March Madness’.

Auckland commuters are facing major delays into the city this morning after a series of crashes across the motorway network.

A crash has blocked two middle city-bound lanes just ahead of the St Lukes ramps on the Northwestern Motorway. The New Zealand Transport Agency said motorists should expect delays and pass with care.

It was cleared by 9.45am.

Earlier, a five-vehicle crash in the same place started a backlog at about 6.30am. There was another crash at the Te Atatū ramps.

It comes as the city gets into “March Madness”, the busiest time of year across Auckland’s transport network, with schools, universities and workplaces all back from summer breaks.

SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY - 9:30AM
A crash is blocking the two middle eastbound lanes just prior to St Lukes Rd overbridge. Pass with care and expect delays until lanes can cleared. ^TP pic.twitter.com/EKUcQPRDVd

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) March 2, 2025

While the first St Lukes crash has cleared, police are warning motorists of “heavy delays” on the motorway, saying people should make a detour around the crash if possible.

It was reported to police just after 6.30am. The five vehicles, one of which was towing a boat, crashed in the far right lane.

There were no reports of injuries, a police spokeswoman said.

SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY - 6:35AM
A crash is blocking the right eastbound lane just prior to St Lukes Rd overbridge. Merge to pass with care and expect delays until cleated. ^TP pic.twitter.com/FbG9cGu3AO

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) March 2, 2025

Another crash in a city-bound lane at the Te Atatū Rd ramps is also holding up traffic on the Northwestern. It was reported to NZTA at 7.10am.

Reacting to “March Madness”, Auckland Transport’s group manager of public transport operations Rachel Cara said AT is prepared for the increase in demand and has been planning for it.

SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY - 7:10AM
A crash is blocking one middle lane eastbound after Te Atatu Rd on-ramp. Pass with extra care and expect delays. ^TP pic.twitter.com/Def9UZ4e76

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) March 2, 2025

“We have added additional services, including school buses, on routes we know will be busiest, meaning we can carry an extra 2700 people on our public transport services across the day,” she said.

“Last year we saw close to 400,000 trips taken on public transport in a single day and we’re expecting to see similar numbers again this year.

“It will be particularly busy at peak times, which are weekdays between 7am-9am and 3pm-6pm.”

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