Fast facts:

Our total travel time, door to door from Waikanae to Upper Hutt, was 40 minutes. Previously, that same trip had taken 60+ minutes along State Highway 59 and Grays Rd — or a couple of hours if there was an accident or slip.

Our return trip from Linden to Ka¯ piti (Mackays Crossing Interchange) took 16 minutes. Northbound, the rise to the Wainui Saddle also had three lanes with a dedicated slow vehicle lane. The view over the Ka¯ piti Coast was quite special.

When heading south, look out for the “rainbow bridge” and the friendly, bike-riding statue on the western side of the road. You’ll spot them about five minutes past the Wainui Saddle.