Windscreen repairers in Northland have been "blown off their feet" coping with an influx of vehicles damaged by flying loose metal from roadworks, particularly those south of Whangarei last week.
Some companies have had no break since last Thursday repairing and replacing chipped and cracked windscreens of cars and trucks from loose stones strewn over State Highway 1 in the 100km/h zone from Whangarei to Mata.
Irate drivers accused the New Zealand Transport Agency of managing jobs poorly and failing to put up signs warning of conditions. Most of the windscreens were damaged after lunch on Friday as multiple roadworks created a trail of traffic snaking up to 22 kilometres.
NZTA acting Auckland and North highway manager Mieszko Iwaskow said neither the agency nor its contractors was responsible for the behaviour of motorists who might have sped through works sites and caused damage to other vehicles. Speed restrictions were in place.
All roadworks in the area from Maungakaramea to Hewlett Rd had been completed.