Are we there yet? Yes! Boxing Day traffic clears

Northbound traffic on State Highway 1 through Puhoi, Warkworth and Wellsford was congested and delays were anticipated throughout the day, the New Zealand Transport Agency says. Photo / File

As the Christmas hype begins to settle down, Auckland holidaymakers dispersed from the city causing major delays on the roads early on, however, this cleared by mid afternoon.

The major networks leaving Auckland are now free-flowing.

Northbound traffic on State Highway 1 was slow about midday through Puhoi, Warkworth and Wellsford.

Aucklanders were also warned to expected delays when travelling to the Coromandel and Tauranga through Mangatawhiri and Maramarua.

Auckland Harbour Bridge has closed the "clip-on" lanes for maintenance from December 26 to January 4. Three lanes in each direction will remain open during that time.

Traffic crept slowly across the bridge to Northcote slowly this morning but it has now eased.

AKL HBR BRIDGE LANE REDUCTIONS - 26 DEC TO 04 JAN
Annual maintenance & streetlight work on the Harbour Bridge will mean lane reductions on the bridge between 26 Dec & 04 Jan, weather permitting. 3 lanes in each direction will remain open. More: https://t.co/Yw5zCWXLxB ^TP pic.twitter.com/RSbdszvshq

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) December 25, 2018

As Boxing Day Sales began, traffic heading to Sylvia Park from the Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp was heavy - as was the Mt Wellington on-ramp - through to midday.

Traffic is still mildly congested on Onehunga Mall.

In other parts of the North Island, drivers travelling on SH35 from Gisborne to Hicks Bay can also expect delays, partly because of roadworks.

PLAN AHEAD: We are expecting traffic delays on #SH1 southbound through Takanini & Taupiri - & on #SH2 through Maramarua this week (24-30 Dec) as holidaymakers get away. Check our holiday journeys tool for dates & times where delays are predicted: https://t.co/tMhQ28qKDP ^TP pic.twitter.com/gcIBaytJp1

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) December 25, 2018

SH4 from Raetihi to Whanganui is closed because of slips.

NZTA advises northbound traffic to use SH3, SH1, SH49, onto Raetihi Ohakune Rd and back onto SH4.