Perkins said colleagues who left work just before him saw the large slip coming down.
"I drove over the berm and got through about 11.30am. It had almost covered the road.
"A few of my workmates who left just before me went through when it had just happened - it was still moving."
When he reached Pukerua Bay, he was stopped by more slips.
"I saw a slip come down the hill and almost take out a contractor's truck. It was chaos."
Perkins said his dog was happy to have him home, when he returned about 4.30pm.
Meanwhile, SH1 is now open to one lane, northbound between Mackays Crossing and Steyne Avenue, Plimmerton.
SH2 is open, with significant congestion, while SH58 will remain closed overnight.
NZTA is working to open a southbound lane between Pukerua Bay and Plimmerton.
SH58 will remain closed overnight from SH1 at Paremata to Haywards Interchange at SH2, and Grays Rd and Paekakariki Hill Rd will remain closed overnight.