Motorists urged to be patient as roads clog up at end of Waitangi Day

Traffic backed up on SH1 northbound out of Auckland on 1 February 2023. Photo: Supplied / Waka Kotahi

It's slow-going for holidaymakers heading back to Auckland after the Waitangi Day break.

There is traffic congestion southbound on State Highway 1 between Wellsford and Warkworth.

Waka Kotahi said motorists should consider using an alternative route or expect delays.

Further north, a stretch of the highway in Brynderwyn is operating at a lower speed and with only one lane after a slip last week.

UPDATE 10:10AM
SH1 Brynderwyn Hills is OPEN to SB traffic, however, the road remains closed to northbound road users between the intersection with SH12 and Waipu. Please note SH1 Brynderwyn Hills will remain closed in both directions from 8pm-8am. ^AP pic.twitter.com/hjBp6gNdIO

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) February 5, 2023

As the weekend began, Aucklanders were being urged to take extreme care, after a week of record-breaking rainfall.

Auckland remains in a state of emergency, after Mayor Wayne Brown extended the declaration on Friday.