Holiday traffic: Heavy traffic warning as holidaymakers head home

Stock image of traffic.
Stock image of traffic. Photo credit: Getty

It's expected to be a busy day on the roads, as many people return home from their summer break.

Traffic heading into Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch is currently free flowing.

But a spokesperson for Waka Kotahi says the roads are likely to be busy later on, and there will be delays.

It also says in a tweet that the Mangamuka Gorge on SH1 in Northland will close from midnight so that slip repair works can resume.

The section of the highway has been open as a single lane for light vehicles for three weeks over the Christmas and New Year period.

Eleven people died on the roads over Christmas and New Year, which is the highest number in four years.

RNZ