Police issue shuts citybound lanes on busy central Auckland motorway

The incident occurred on citybound lanes of SH16 near Kingsland. Photo credit: NZTA / Twitter

Traffic came to a grinding halt on a central Auckland motorway on Thursday after citybound lanes were closed following a police issue.

Emergency services were called to the scene on the North Western Motorway near Kingsland just before midday.

The New Zealand Transport Agency - Waka Kotahi (NZTA) earlier said all lanes eastbound on State Highway 16 had been closed after the St Lukes Rd off-ramp.

All but two lanes were opened at about 12:30pm, though heavy traffic persisted until they were both reopened at about 2:10pm.

"Traffic remains heavy in the area. Continue to pass the scene with care and be prepared for some delays," they wrote.

Two ambulances and a fire truck were earlier at the scene.

Google Maps traffic data had shown traffic was moving very slowly near the St Luke's on-ramp and on the motorway by the Bond St overbridge.

Police said they were called to the incident shortly after midday.

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