Police issue shuts citybound lanes on busy central Auckland motorway

The incident occurred on citybound lanes of SH16 near Kingsland.
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.