Holiday traffic forecast

Wellington

NZTA is predicting heavy traffic volumes on SH1 from Peka Peka to O¯ taki from 10am till 5.30pm today, and from 6.30am till 5pm tomorrow.

Things don’t let up much, with congestion expected from 8.30am till 5pm on Sunday, 9am till 5.30pm on Monday, and 9am till 4pm on Tuesday. People travelling on Christmas Day should be OK before 10am and after 12.30pm, the agency says. The situation is much better on SH2 on the Remutaka Hill, with traffic expected to be mostly free-flowing between Wellington and Featherston for much of the holiday period.

Auckland

SH1 between Puhoi and Wellsford should be heavily congested from noon to 6.30pm today, with things easing off slightly in the lead-up to Christmas. However, traffic is expected to build up again between Boxing Day and December 30.

SH1 at Takanini is expected to be busiest today and tomorrow afternoon, but will ease off over the rest of the holiday period.

Northbound traffic is expected to be heaviest on SH1 at Whangarei on December 20, 23 and 27, and southbound on January 5.

Waikato-Bay of Plenty

There should be few problems for motorists in the Bay of Plenty, with no significant congestion expected on SH2 between Paeroa and Waihi and SH29 at Kaimai – apart from a few hours on December 26 and 27.

The worst days on SH2 between Tauranga and Katikati are expected to be January 2 and 3.

Hawke’s Bay

The roads look pretty clear, with minimal congestion on SH5 at Te Puhoe.

Manawatu¯ -Whanganui

Another good place to be, apart from short stretches on December 27 and 28, and January 2 and 4, on SH1 between Taihape and Waiouru.

Taranaki

A mostly good run, apart from a few hours in the days after Christmas on SH3 at Mount Messenger.