As people wind down for the year, cities empty out and the beaches fill up, so NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is encouraging people to plan ahead for safe summer road trips. 

Everyone deserves to get to their destinations safely and have a happy holiday. For a smooth journey, and before you set off, we encourage road users to use Journey Planner to check for road conditions journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link). 
 
Andrew Oakley, Waikato System Manger for NZTA said people should remember to drive to the conditions, allow plenty of time and take regular breaks to stay alert. 

“With the volumes of traffic expected over the holiday period, especially on key corridors such as SH1 north and south of Hamilton and SH2 north of Tauranga, we’re asking people to be patient and keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you so you can stop safely," Mr Oakley said. 

With contractors pausing most work over the Christmas and New Year break, it will be a smooth ride from midday Friday 20 December through to 8am Monday 6 January 2025, so everyone can relax and enjoy the holidays together. 

Like previous years, passing lanes on State Highway 2 between Pōkeno and the State Highway 25 Mangatarata roundabout will be closed eastbound on 27, 28 and 29 December and westbound on 3, 4 and 5 January 2025. 

This work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.