Traffic is beginning to build on motorways as holidaymakers head off on their Easter breaks.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says motorways around Auckland are beginning to clog with traffic, which likely won't be helped as wet weather sets in across the city.
A crash on State Highway 1 northbound just after the Northcote Rd on-ramp slowed traffic down in the city. This has now cleared but Waka Kotahi is warning of delays while traffic eases.
In Wellington, traffic is slow northbound on State Highway 1 from Peka Peka to Ōtaki. These queues are likely to build up to Waikanae Beach and aren't expected to ease until after 6pm, Waka Kotahi says.
Motorists heading away for Easter are asked to check the holiday journey planner, which predicts when traffic may get busy along popular routes throughout New Zealand.
The heaviest travel times for people heading south between Manukau and Bombay varies, but traffic will generally be the busiest in the mornings up until 2pm on Friday through to Monday.
North of Auckland between Puhoi and Wellsford, cars heading out of the city are expected to hit heavy traffic on Friday at 5:15pm and on Saturday it will be busiest from about 9:15am to 3:15pm.
"Please remember to be patient and drive safely to your holiday destination this long weekend," Waka Kotahi says.
Some of Waka Kotahi's maintenance and resealing works have been paused for the weekend to help with Easter traffic around the country. If drivers do come across site works that are underway, they're asked to slow down, obey the temporary speed limits, and follow any signs or instructions.
