Huge numbers of visitors sparked traffic jams as people tried to drive to last year's Waitangi Day dawn service. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Key roads around Paihia have been closed in advance of the Bay of Islands' busiest day of the year as authorities try to avoid a repeat of last year's Waitangi Day traffic chaos.
The Far North District Council is redoubling its efforts to persuade visitors to make use of free shuttle buses by setting up free car parks around Haruru, on State Highway 11 about 4km west of Paihia.
In 2024 the queues of traffic trying to reach the dawn service backed up all the way to Bulls Gorge near Kerikeri, while an error on Google Maps - which showed a through-road to Waitangi where only a farm track exists - saw police called as frustrated motorists tried to break down farm gates and drive through paddocks.
Inspector Anne-Marie Fitchett, Northland's road policing manager, said patrols would be out in force to deter risky behaviour.
"We want everyone to enjoy the Waitangi celebrations while considering their own safety and that of others," she said.
Speeding would not be tolerated and drivers could be tested for alcohol or drugs at any time.
Fitchett said road closures were already in place on Te Karuwha Parade, Te Kemara Road and Tau Henare Drive, all in Waitangi; and on Haruru Falls Road, an unsealed back road linking Haruru with Waitangi.
She also urged people to be considerate of others when they were parking.
"We simply want everyone to drive with care, stay patient in the event there are roadworks or detours along your journey, and keep alert on our roads."
Meanwhile, the Far North District Council, which is expecting 100,000 visitors at Waitangi this year, has opened free car parks in Haruru, near Paihia.
The main parking area will be next to ITM Hardware, on Puketona Road/State Highway 11, just west of Haruru Falls Road.
Parking is also available at Bledisloe Domain, accessed from Haruru Falls Road, and if both of those areas are full, an overflow car park will be opened at the old Haruru airstrip further west on Puketona Road.
Free shuttle buses to the Treaty Grounds and Waitangi's Te Tii Marae will run until 6pm every day from 3-6 February.
On 6 February, Russell's passenger ferry, which departs every 20 minutes, will stop at Waitangi pier on its way to Paihia.
