Covid-19: Warning of major delays, surge in traffic ahead of Auckland border reopening

Motorists are being warned to expect major delays once the Auckland borders reopen at 11:59pm on Tuesday.

For the first time in months, Aucklanders will be able to travel freely from December 15, with requirements in place.

However, traffic is expected to be busy as a result – and likely worsened with holiday season just around the corner.

The Automobile Association's Dylan Thomsen said motorists should be “prepared for delays” and to “travel early or late in the day”.

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Many Aucklanders “who have been waiting a long time” were expected to be heading out of the city on Wednesday morning, he said.

“We suspect that we are going to see a really big surge of traffic tomorrow and probably this weekend coming,” he said.

Jacqui Hori-Hoult of Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) said five days before Christmas last year, more than 200,000 vehicles left Auckland.

“We’re anticipating some of this rush to take place earlier this year.”

Thomsen said traffic was heaviest in the lead up to Christmas and on Christmas Day, with the busiest times between 10am and 6pm.

Thomsen expected the “main flow of traffic” would be seen on outbound lanes out of Auckland, rather than into the city.

Aucklanders who were staying in the city should expect no delays in their morning commute, but would see a difference in the evening.

However, Thomsen said they did not know “how busy” Wednesday will be considering this has never happened before.

“Be patient of other motorists and stick to the basics like driving to the conditions, increasing your following distance, looking over your shoulder to check your blind spot before switching lanes and ensuring everyone in the car wears a seatbelt.”

On Tuesday night between 10pm-1am, travellers heading south can expect road closures as Waka Kotahi helps police remove the boundary.

Northbound traffic can expect stop-and-go traffic management until the border is reopened at 11.59pm.

With a surge in traffic expected in the next few days, Waka Kotahi has paused all road maintenance in Northland, Auckland and Waikato from December 15-19.

Under the Covid-19 red light traffic framework, travellers over the age of 12 years and three months are required to be fully vaccinated, or, have a negative test result 72 hours before travelling outside of Auckland.

Those under the age of 12 years and three months, who are not eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, are not required to provide proof of vaccine or a negative test result.

Police will be running spot checks on those leaving the Auckland region.