While the elves may be working right up until midnight on Christmas Eve, works across the region’s roads will mostly have finished at midday today Friday 20 December, allowing road users an undisturbed run to their holiday destination. 

However, just because there are no roadworks doesn’t mean there are no delays, says Sandra King, Bay of Plenty System Manager at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). 

“Holiday traffic will be busy at certain periods in the lead-up to Christmas and throughout the 2-week period the majority of New Zealanders have on holiday. To help with planning the best time to travel, NZTA has released the Summer Journeys traffic prediction tool. 

Summer Journeys traffic prediction tool. 

“This tool indicates when key routes will be free-flowing, busy and at their heaviest. Along with the Journey Planner, which provides real time traffic updates, you can see when the best time is to travel and check there are no issues on the network causing delays. 

We are experiencing some hot days and this is causing the road surfaces to bleed, this means you may see crews out on site laying chipseal along with a temporary speed limit to keep everyone safe. 

Similar to previous years, the passing lanes on State Highway 2 (SH2), between Pōkeno and the State Highway 25 Mangatarata roundabout, will be closed during peak times. The eastbound passing lane is closed from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 December between 4am and 11pm. Westbound is closed from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 January between 4am and 11pm. 

Those cruising down SH2 through the Karangahake Gorge will have more time to soak up the stunning scenery. The 600m section between Crown Hill Road and School Road has had its speed reduced temporarily from 80km/h to 50km/h, which remains in place until after Waitangi weekend. This section of the highway includes the entrance to the Karangahake Reserve, which is the starting point for many of the popular walks in the historic gorge.   

“NZTA wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas. For a smooth and hassle-free trip, and to make sure you reach your destination, remember to check over your vehicle before leaving, drive safely and to the posted speed limit, and enjoy the journey. We want everyone to enjoy this time with their friends and whānau,” said King. 

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. 

Bay of Plenty 

Tauranga 

·       SH2 Takitimu North Link Stage 1: Minden Road will have a reduced speed of 30km/hr from Friday 20 December – Sunday 12 January.  Shoulder closures and stop/go traffic management will continue from Monday 13 January. Please take direction from staff on the ground and slow down through the work site. 

·       SH2/Fifteenth Ave: Major works to build the connection from Fifteenth Ave to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road are underway. Works involve the building of a 120m long retaining wall and earthworks, prior to the Fifteenth Ave bridge construction. One lane at SH2/Fifteenth Ave near Edgecumbe Road is closed while the construction of the 120m long retaining wall takes place prior to the construction of the Fifteenth Ave Bridge. This is likely to remain in place until mid-2026.  

·       SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 70km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link Stage 1 crews are working behind the barriers. Planning is underway for a 2 night closure of SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road between 8pm and 5am, this is currently scheduled for Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 January 2025 but subject to change. When this work is completed there will be a new road layout including lane switches. Please take care in this area and look out for further updates. More information 

·       SH29 Kaimai Range: A programme of night work continues on SH29 Kaimai Range, currently underway near Old Kaimai Road. For the Christmas break traffic management will be removed and critical line marking reinstated, crews will be back onsite on Monday 6 January. When work is underway there will be stop/go traffic management in place. Over the coming 6-8 months there will be several significant worksites to complete. More information 

·       SH29 McLarens Fall Road: The lower Kaimai passing lane from Pori Pori Road will be closed and reduced to one lane from Monday 13 to Wednesday 22 January while drainage maintenance work takes place near McLarens Fall Road. For the duration of the work there will be a 24/7 temporary speed limit through the SH29 site. 

·       SH29 Tauriko West between Redwood Lane and Cambridge Road: Project construction is ongoing at multiple sites on SH29, with shoulder closures, reduced speed limits and mobile operations in place. A shoulder closure and lane deviation are in place on Cambridge Road for the installation of sheet piles, along with a temporary 60km/h speed limit (on all approaches to the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection) for the duration of these works. From Monday 6 January to early February, a short section of the northbound lane on Cambridge Road, from the SH29 intersection to 563 Cambridge Road, will be closed 24/7. All Bethlehem-bound vehicles need to detour via SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road, Elizabeth Street roundabout, or SH29A and Cameron Road. The free detour for heavy vehicles is via SH29A to Bay Park & SH2.  The southbound lane of Cambridge Road will remain open for the duration of the works. A 60km/h speed limit will apply on SH29 on all approaches to the intersection, and a 30km/h speed limit will be in place around the work site on Cambridge Road. Work will occur Monday to Saturday, between 7am and 6pm. Access for Cambridge Road residents from SH29 will be via the detours. Night works are planned from Monday 6 January for 4 nights on Cambridge Road for barrier relocation, line marking and signage installation. From Tuesday 7 January there will be a stop/go and 30km/h speed limit for 3 nights on SH29 (between 841 SH29 and 782 SH29) for safety barrier installation. People are advised to expect delays.  More information  

·       SH2/29A Baypark: On Tuesday 31 December the Famous Last Words concert will take place at Mercury Arena between 6pm and 1am, during this time Truman Lane and all non-event traffic will be detoured via SH2 to get to SH29A. More information 

·       SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): The Tauranga City Council led project continues. A 2km section of SH2, just past the Kaituna River Bridge continues to be reduced to a single lane in each direction to allow construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange to progress. This closure will remain in place for the duration of construction, with a temporary 70km/h speed limit in place. More information. 

·       SH2 TELTR: The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues.  More information 

Western Bay of Plenty 

·       SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa Safety Improvements: 2 roundabouts are currently in construction. During the Christmas/New Year shutdown some traffic management will remain to keep you safe. More information 

·       SH2 Apata Station Road: Road widening works are underway in preparation for the new roundabout. Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions. There will be stop/go traffic management in place during the day from Tuesday 7 January to Friday 10 January which may cause longer delays. Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. Expect minor delays. 

·       SH2 Ōmokoroa Road: Road widening and service relocation works are underway in preparation for the new roundabout. Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. Expect minor delays especially during peak times. More information 

·       SH2 Snodgrass Road, Te Puna: Night work will start on a road rebuild on Sunday 12 January, taking approximately 6 weeks to complete near the Snodgrass Road and Te Puna Quarry road intersection. While the work is taking place the entry into Snodgrass Road and Te Puna Quarry Road will be closed at the state highway end. Alternative roads are available to the south via Munro Road and to the north via Armstrong Road or Borrell Road. Work will start at 8pm each night finishing at 5.30am, there will be stop/go in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h during the day. 

·       SH2 North chipseal programme: Several chipseal sites on SH2 north of Tauranga start on Sunday 12 January at night taking 10 nights to complete, all 9 worksites. Kicking off at Clark Road and finishing near Aongatete.  There will be a temporary speed limit in place the day after the chipsealing has been completed to allow the chipseal to bed in. 

Rotorua 

·       SH30 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua: Resurfacing works on Te Ngae Road between Iles Road to Ōwhata Road will start on Tuesday 7 January and take 10 nights to complete. While the work is taking place the road will be closed and traffic detoured. All traffic travelling north including heavy traffic will be required to turn left at Vaughan Road and follow detours to Ōwhata Roundabout. All southbound traffic will turn right at Ōwhata roundabout and follow detours to Marino Road/SH30 Te Ngae Road intersection. 

·       SH5 Rotorua: Enabling works for a road rebuild start on Tuesday 7 January with the pavement work starting on Tuesday 14 January. The dayworks are expected to take 10 weeks to complete between 7am and 6pm each day. There will be stop/go in place for the majority of the week as well as lane switches and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h while the work is taking place and 70km/h when unattended.  

Waikato 

·       SH1 Ātiamuri to Wairakei: All work and traffic management has ended on this stretch of SH1, with final surfacing south of the Waikato River bridge to be done later in summer. 

·       SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru overall programme:  All work sites are open and will be free of traffic management.  Check out upcoming closure dates nzta.govt.nz/projects/T2W, keep up to date - sign up to the e-newsletter 

South of Tīrau to north of Putāruru: Final asphalt surfacing is scheduled to start on Sunday 19 January, subject to final testing. More information.   

Tūrangi to Waiouru: Tūrangi to Waiouru – including the Desert Road – will be closed for vital road rebuilding, and repairs from Monday 13 January for approximately 2 months. During this time, the Mangatoetoenui Bridge deck will be replaced meaning the highway will be severed with no access over the bridge between Wednesday 22 January – Friday 21 February. 

East Waikato 

·       Various pre-chipseal sites on SH25, SH27, SH26, SH29 and SH2 in the Waikato will start on Tuesday 7 January 2025 and continue until 15 February, weather permitting. The work will take place between 6am and 6pm each weekday. While the work is taking place there will be traffic management and speed restrictions in place. 

·       SH25 Tairua: Repairs to a large underslip at Pumpkin Hill near Sailors Grave Road, just north of Tairua, are underway. Work at this site will take about 6 months to complete. There are temporary speed restrictions and a shoulder closure through the worksite. Stop/stop traffic management will be required at times. More information   

·       SH25 between Waihī and Whangamatā: Resurfacing repairs will start on Monday 6 and continue until Friday 24 January. While this work is taking place there will be stop/go traffic management in place, delays are to be expected. 

·       SH25 Whangapoua Hill: From Monday 6 until Friday 17 January asphalt repairs will take place in between Coromandel and Te Rerenga on SH25. While this work is taking place there will be stop/go traffic management, delays are to be expected. 

·       SH25 between Whiritoa and Whangamatā: Asphalt repairs will start on Sunday 12 until Friday 24 January at night between 6pm and 6am each night. There will be stop/stop traffic management in place due to the location of the worksite. Delays of up to 30 minutes can be expected. There will be no work on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January.  

·       SH2 South of Paeroa: There will be 2 days of road resurfacing on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 January between 6am and 6pm, between Old Reservoir Road and Jackson Road. At times there will be stop/stop traffic management in place with delays of up to 30 minutes. 

Central Waikato 

·       SH41 Tokaanu: Works to fix an underslip are complete and SH41 is now open. Further finishing works will continue from Monday 13 January and will require a single lane closure for 2 days. 

West Waikato 

SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Remedial work and safety improvements have finished, and all lanes are now open. Remaining works can be done behind the new safety barriers and without traffic management.  

Works on the SH1C portion of the Ngāruawāhia section – on each side of the Waikato River bridge – will be done next year. More information

·       SH3 Melville, Hamilton: Resurfacing will begin on SH3 Ōhaupō Road between Collins Road and Mahoe Street at the Normanby Avenue intersection, taking 5 nights to complete from Sunday 12 January between 8pm and 6am each night. While this work is taking place SH3 will be closed to through traffic, a detour will be available via Collins Street, Prisk Street, Mahoe Street to re-join SH3 and then left on to SH1C Lorne Street. HPMV, heavy and over dimensional vehicles will be stacked and released.  

·       SH1/SH29 Piarere intersection: 2 out of 3 permanent approach roads have now opened on the SH1/SH29 roundabout in Piarere. Traffic was switched onto the new SH1 (from Tīrau) and SH29 approaches on Tuesday 17 December. This change sees traffic from all 3 directions using the roundabout and the former tie-in road for Tīrau traffic becomes an access lane for nearby properties. The temporary Hamilton approach road will remain in use while work continues on the permanent configuration, which is expected to be finished in early 2025. NZTA thanks motorists for their patience and asks drivers to stick to temporary speed limits and take extra care when travelling through the area while people adjust to the new layout. View a map here. 

·       SH1 Karāpiro: SH1 will be closed to all traffic between Karāpiro Road south and SH1/29 Piarere for maintenance from midnight Sunday 19 to midnight Thursday 23 January. 
During the works, contractors will lay 42,000m2 of chipseal and apply a second seal on barrier areas and shoulders. They will also carry out works at the intersection with Maungatautari Road, and general maintenance such as mowing and sign repairs. 
Following the resealing, the road will reopen with a 70km/h temporary speed limit. Rollers and sweeping will take place before the road opens, but it will still need traffic on it at a reduced speed for up to a week for chip to bed in completely.  

All properties within the closure and sideroads leading to it will have access maintained but delays are expected. Vehicles will be grouped and piloted through the site on the following schedule: 

·                Northbound from near the SH1/29 roundabout: Leaving on the hour 

·                Southbound from Karāpiro Road: Leaving on the half hour 

·                People coming from side roads will join the convoy as it passes their road 

         More information. 

·       SH3 Ōhaupō township: A road rebuild will start on SH3 on Ōhaupō Road in the Ōhaupō township on Tuesday 7 January, taking 7 weeks to complete. While the work is taking place, northbound light vehicles will be detoured 24/7 via Ryburn Road and Forkert Road, which will add approximately 8 minutes to the journey, heavy vehicles including buses, overweight and over dimension vehicles will be stacked and allowed through the worksite with delays of up to 30 minutes. The southbound lane will remain open to all traffic. More information 

·       SH3 Te Kūiti: Waitomo District Council will start work on Monday 6 January to replace a large watermain, from Carroll Street along to Duke Street. This work is expected to continue until Wednesday 19 January. There will be a single road closure in Carroll Street, with eastbound light vehicles being diverted along Taupiri Street and Te Kumi Station Road, heavy vehicles will detour via Esplanade and Te Kūiti Road, north bound traffic will use the single lane on Carroll Street. 

·       SH39 Tihiroa: Enabling and drainage works have begun on Ormsby Road on SH39 near Cannon Road, work will be completed around 22 December. The work will take place during the day from 7am to 7pm with stop/go traffic management in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h. Early in 2025 the second phase of this work, a road rebuild, will begin.  

North Waikato 

·       SH1 Nikau Road to Bombay interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Sunday 5 and Monday 6 January between 9pm and 5am for maintenance. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. Please slow down and follow traffic management instructions. Please note: Over dimension vehicles will not be able to use the contraflow. Please contact tmc@asm.nzta.govt.nz in advance for instructions. 

·       SH1 southbound to SH2 eastbound link: There will be a full southbound closure from Sunday 5 to Thursday 9 January between 9pm and 5am for stormwater maintenance. Please stay on SH1 and turn around at the next interchange at Pokeno to travel back via SH1 northbound to SH2 eastbound link.  

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay 

·       SH5 Napier to Taupō: Recovery alliance Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) continues to progress safety improvements, as well as repair, recovery and maintenance activities at multiple sites on SH5 between Eskdale and Waipunga. More information 

Taranaki 

·       SH3 Tongaporutu: A road rebuild will begin on Tuesday 7 January 2025 between Pilot Road and Rapanui Road, taking 1 month to complete Monday to Saturday between 7am and 7pm each day. While the work is taking place there will be stop/go traffic management in place with a 30km/h speed limit, delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected. 

The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz). 
 
NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey.

Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nztawbop
• X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/nztawbop
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49