Traffic hell looms for Anzac holiday returnees

The New Zealand Transport Agency is warning motorists returning from their holidays on Sunday to prepare for heavy traffic and long delays.

Roads around New Zealand will be clogged by holidaymakers returning home from the extended Easter/Anzac break. Up to 10 hours of heavy traffic is expected along some routes.

"In Northland traffic will be busy southbound on State Highway 1 in Kawakawa and on State Highway 1 in Whangarei during the day," the NZTA says on Facebook

"Further south in Auckland, traffic is predicted to be heavy for most of the day between Puhoi and Wellsford and also in Takanini."

Further south, heavy traffic will hit Taupiri for seven hours, and Karapiro for nine hours. Popular holiday spots along the east coast of the North Island will also turn into chokepoints.

Traffic is also expected to be bad in the Wellington region, with eight hours of heavy traffic along the Kapiti Coast.

In the South Island, traffic will be heaviest between Ashburton and Christchurch between midday and 6pm.

Motorists are advised to check the NZTA holiday tool to see where and when traffic congestion is expected to be worst.

Newshub.