Anzac traffic warning: Delays expected on state highways this long weekend

Thursday, 22 April 2021

Police and the Returned and Services Association are running a checkpoint on Auckland's busy Tamaki Drive in an attempt to keep the long weekend road toll low.

Holidaymakers are being urged to plan ahead this Anzac weekend to avoid traffic into and out of the cities.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has updated its online holiday journeys traffic prediction tool to help people plan ahead and avoid delays.

Spokesman Neil Walker said the tool predicts traffic flow based on previous years’ travel patterns.

Travellers are being advised to plan ahead this Anzac long weekend to avoid traffic. (File photo)

“You can keep your Anzac weekend safe, minimise delays and make your trips more enjoyable by using our holiday journey planner and checking the latest traffic conditions before you leave,” he said.

* Warnings of heavy congestion as holidaymakers head home after Waitangi weekend

* Waitangi Day: Drivers warned to plan ahead and expect delays this long weekend

Here's where to avoid – and when.

Last year’s Anzac weekend trips were cancelled due to the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown.

Auckland

Travellers heading north should aim to get an early start, with northbound traffic on State Highway 1 between Puhoi and Wellsford expected to be heaviest from 12pm-8pm on Friday and 9am-3pm on Saturday.

On the journey home, traffic in this area will be heaviest from 11am-5pm on Sunday and 11am-8pm on Monday.

For those heading south, State Highway 1 between Manukau and Bombay – a notorious pinch point – will be heaviest from 10am-7pm on Friday and 7am-1pm on Saturday.

Coming back into Auckland on Monday, the area will be congested northbound from 1pm-6pm, NZTA said.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has updated its online holiday journeys traffic prediction tool to help people plan ahead and avoid delays.

Temporary speed limits will remain in place around several work sites on SH1 between Auckland and Whangārei, including through the Dome Valley, on Matakana Link Rd and at Loop Rd.

Wellington

State Highway 1 heading out of Wellington will be busiest on Friday between 11.30am and 6pm, and on Saturday between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

As people make their way back into Wellington, traffic heading south is predicted to be busiest on State Highway 1 on Sunday between 1pm and 5pm, and on Monday between midday and 6.30pm.

For people heading north on State Highway 2 over the Remutaka Hill, traffic is predicted to be busiest on Friday from 2.30pm-6.30pm.

Traffic patterns indicate the best way to avoid getting caught in the rush is to leave in the early hours of the morning.

Southbound traffic on State Highway 2 is expected to be busiest on Monday between 2.30pm-5pm.

Waikato

Delays are predicted on State Highway 2 between Pokeno and Maramarua, particularly heading east on Friday afternoon.

Westbound, some delays are expected between 11am and 3pm on Friday and 10.30am and 9.30pm on Monday.

State Highway 25 is expected to be busy at Tairua, with the heaviest traffic expected heading north on Friday afternoon and through the middle of the day on Saturday.

Southbound, delays are predicted to be heaviest on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.

There will also be several state highway closures for Anzac Parades on Sunday, which include State Highway 2 through Ngatea from 11am-12pm, and Paeroa from 8am-10am.

Bay of Plenty

Motorists should be prepared for heavy traffic on State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Ranges, particularly heading east between 3.30pm-6.30pm on Friday. Westbound traffic is expected to be heaviest for most of the day on Monday.

Motorists should also expect delays on State Highway 2 between Katikati and Tauranga for much of the weekend, in both directions.

Traffic heaviest southbound between 1.30pm and 7pm on Friday and northbound for a short period of time from 3pm on Friday.

State Highway 2 will be closed between Beach Rd and Fairview Rd from 5am to 7am for the Katikati Anzac parade. A signposted detour will be in place for northbound and southbound traffic.

Canterbury

On SH1 between Christchurch and Ashburton, traffic will be heavy southbound for most of Friday, from 9.30am-7pm.

Coming back from Ashburton on Monday, drivers are again in for a slow run, with delays expected from 10.30am-6.30pm.

In Kaikōura, State Highway 1 will be open to two lanes over Anzac weekend.

It will be at its heaviest northbound from 9.30am-7.30pm on Friday, then southbound from 11.30am-4pm Monday.